Urdu medical and body vocabulary is among the most life-critical word lists any learner can master. A traveller in Lahore who needs to describe a stomach pain to a chemist, a Pakistani diaspora child explaining their grandmother's symptoms to a doctor, a tourist in Hunza needing to identify altitude sickness, all depend on the same core terms: pet (stomach), dard (pain), bukhar (fever), saans (breath). Beyond emergency utility, body and medical vocabulary opens access to Pakistani healthcare conversation, pharmacy interactions, traditional Unani and herbal medicine traditions, and the everyday phrases of family caretaking that fill Pakistani households.
This reference catalogues more than two hundred Urdu body part names, symptom descriptions, medical specialties, hospital and pharmacy vocabulary, and common idiomatic phrases for describing illness. Each entry appears in Urdu script (Perso-Arabic, written right to left), Roman Urdu transliteration, and English explanation. Where Pakistani Urdu medical vocabulary diverges from Indian Urdu or from formal Persian-Arabic medical terminology, brief notes flag the difference.
Pakistani medical practice operates in three overlapping systems: allopathic medicine (the Western-trained doctor at a hospital, dispensing pharmacology), Unani-tibb (the Persian-Arab medical tradition, dispensing herbs and decoctions through hakims), and homeopathy (a strong Pakistani presence with its own clinics). Each system shares an Urdu vocabulary that is broadly intelligible across all three. The word dawai (medicine) means whatever you put in your mouth to get better; the word doctor or hakim distinguishes which tradition prepared it.
For the broader phrasebook, see Urdu Common Phrases and Daily Conversation Reference. For the script and pronunciation, see the Urdu Alphabet and Nasta'liq Script Complete Guide. For Persian-Arabic loanword patterns crucial to medical vocabulary, see Urdu Persian and Arabic Loanwords.
Body Parts: Head and Face
| Urdu | Roman Urdu | English |
|---|---|---|
| سر | Sar | Head |
| چہرہ | Chehra | Face |
| ماتھا | Maatha | Forehead |
| بال | Baal | Hair |
| آنکھ | Aankh | Eye |
| آنکھیں | Aankhein | Eyes |
| ابرو | Abroo | Eyebrow |
| پلک | Palak | Eyelash, eyelid |
| ناک | Naak | Nose |
| کان | Kaan | Ear |
| منہ | Munh | Mouth |
| ہونٹ | Honth | Lip |
| دانت | Daant | Tooth |
| زبان | Zubaan | Tongue, language |
| گال | Gaal | Cheek |
| ٹھوڑی | Thodi | Chin |
| داڑھی | Daadhi | Beard |
| مونچھ | Munch | Moustache |
| گلا | Gala | Throat |
| گردن | Gardan | Neck |
Note that zubaan does double duty as both "tongue" (the body part) and "language". The phrase Urdu zubaan (Urdu language) and meri zubaan (my tongue) use the same word disambiguated by context.
Body Parts: Torso and Limbs
| Urdu | Roman Urdu | English |
|---|---|---|
| کندھا | Kandha | Shoulder |
| بازو | Baazoo | Arm |
| کہنی | Kohni | Elbow |
| کلائی | Kalaayi | Wrist |
| ہاتھ | Haath | Hand |
| انگلی | Ungli | Finger |
| انگوٹھا | Angootha | Thumb |
| ناخن | Naakhun | Nail |
| سینہ | Seena | Chest |
| پیٹ | Pet | Stomach, belly |
| کمر | Kamar | Waist, lower back |
| پیٹھ | Peeth | Back |
| ٹانگ | Taang | Leg |
| گھٹنا | Ghutna | Knee |
| پنڈلی | Pindli | Calf |
| پاؤں / پیر | Paaon / Pair | Foot |
| ایڑی | Edi | Heel |
| دل | Dil | Heart |
| پھیپھڑا | Phephra | Lung |
| جگر | Jigar | Liver |
| گردہ | Gurda | Kidney |
| ہڈی | Haddi | Bone |
| خون | Khoon | Blood |
| جلد | Jild | Skin (formal) |
| چمڑا | Chamra | Skin (informal, animal hide) |
"Pakistani Urdu uses pair (پیر) for foot in everyday speech, while Indian Urdu and formal writing favour paaon (پاؤں). The two are interchangeable in meaning but pair has a casual Pakistani register; paaon is more universal across Urdu-speaking regions."
Internal Organs
| Urdu | Roman Urdu | English |
|---|---|---|
| دل | Dil | Heart |
| دماغ | Dimaagh | Brain |
| پھیپھڑا | Phephra | Lung |
| جگر | Jigar | Liver |
| گردہ | Gurda | Kidney |
| معدہ | Mehda | Stomach (organ) |
| آنت | Aant | Intestine |
| پتھ | Patth | Bladder |
| تلی | Tilli | Spleen |
| ریڑھ کی ہڈی | Reedh ki haddi | Spine |
| رگ | Rag | Vein, artery |
| نس | Nas | Nerve, vein |
| اعصاب | Aasaab | Nerves (plural, formal) |
| غدود | Ghadood | Gland |
The Urdu word jigar (liver) carries enormous metaphorical weight: jigar literally is the liver but figuratively the seat of courage and beloved closeness, as in jigar-e-pakistan (Pakistan's liver, used metaphorically for a beloved leader) or mera jigar (my dear, said affectionately to a son). In Pakistani Urdu poetry and music, jigar functions where English "heart" (the metaphorical seat) sometimes does, in addition to its anatomical meaning.
Symptoms and Pain Description
The verb dard hona (درد ہونا, to have pain) is the workhorse of Urdu symptom description. The construction places the body part in a possessive and uses dard ho raha hai (pain is happening) for ongoing pain.
| Urdu | Roman Urdu | English |
|---|---|---|
| درد | Dard | Pain |
| سر درد | Sar dard | Headache |
| پیٹ درد | Pet dard | Stomachache |
| دانت درد | Daant dard | Toothache |
| کان درد | Kaan dard | Earache |
| کمر درد | Kamar dard | Backache |
| درد ہو رہا ہے | Dard ho raha hai | I am in pain |
| میرے سر میں درد ہے | Mere sar mein dard hai | I have a headache |
| بہت درد ہو رہا ہے | Bahut dard ho raha hai | It hurts a lot |
| تھوڑا درد ہے | Thoda dard hai | A little pain |
| تیز درد | Tez dard | Sharp pain |
| ہلکا درد | Halka dard | Mild pain |
| مستقل درد | Mustaqil dard | Constant pain |
| اچانک درد | Achaanak dard | Sudden pain |
| Urdu | Roman Urdu | English |
|---|---|---|
| بخار | Bukhar | Fever |
| تیز بخار | Tez bukhar | High fever |
| کھانسی | Khaansi | Cough |
| نزلہ | Nazla | Cold (head cold) |
| زکام | Zukaam | Common cold |
| فلو | Flu | Flu |
| الٹی | Ulti | Vomiting |
| متلی | Matli | Nausea |
| دست | Dast | Diarrhoea |
| قبض | Qabz | Constipation |
| چکر | Chakkar | Dizziness |
| بے ہوش | Behosh | Unconscious |
| کمزوری | Kamzori | Weakness |
| تھکاوٹ | Thakaawat | Fatigue |
| سانس کی تکلیف | Saans ki takleef | Breathing difficulty |
| سینے میں درد | Seene mein dard | Chest pain |
| الرجی | Allergy | Allergy |
| سوجن | Soojan | Swelling |
| خارش | Khaarish | Itching |
| دانے | Daane | Rash, pimples |
| زخم | Zakhm | Wound |
"The Pakistani Urdu phrase Tabiyat theek nahin (تبیعت ٹھیک نہیں, my health is not okay) is a universal opener for any unwellness conversation. It is non-specific and stylistically appropriate from minor cold to serious illness. The follow-up question Kya hua? (what happened) opens the symptom catalogue."
Medical Conditions
| Urdu | Roman Urdu | English |
|---|---|---|
| ذیابیطس | Ziyaabaitas | Diabetes |
| شوگر | Shugar | Diabetes (colloquial English loan) |
| بلڈ پریشر | Blood pressure | Blood pressure |
| ہائی بلڈ پریشر | High blood pressure | Hypertension |
| دل کی بیماری | Dil ki beemari | Heart disease |
| دل کا دورہ | Dil ka daurra | Heart attack |
| فالج | Faalij | Stroke, paralysis |
| دمہ | Dama | Asthma |
| ٹی بی | TB | Tuberculosis |
| ہیپاٹائٹس | Hepatitis | Hepatitis |
| یرقان | Yarqaan | Jaundice |
| ٹائیفائڈ | Typhoid | Typhoid |
| ملیریا | Malaria | Malaria |
| ڈینگو | Dengue | Dengue |
| کووڈ | Covid | Covid-19 |
| کینسر | Cancer | Cancer |
| سرطان | Sartan | Cancer (formal Arabic) |
| سرطان معدہ | Sartan-e-mehda | Stomach cancer |
| تپ دق | Tap-e-diq | Tuberculosis (formal) |
In Pakistan, the English loan shugar has nearly replaced ziyaabaitas in everyday speech for diabetes. A grandmother saying mujhe shugar hai (I have diabetes/sugar) is fully understood, where the formal ziyaabaitas appears in medical reports. Similarly, blood pressure is universally said in English even in otherwise Urdu sentences.
At the Doctor and Hospital
| Urdu | Roman Urdu | English |
|---|---|---|
| ڈاکٹر | Doctor | Doctor (allopathic) |
| حکیم | Hakim | Hakim (Unani practitioner) |
| ہومیو ڈاکٹر | Homeo doctor | Homeopathic doctor |
| ماہر | Maahir | Specialist |
| دندان ساز | Dandaan-saaz | Dentist |
| آنکھوں کا ڈاکٹر | Aankhon ka doctor | Eye doctor |
| ہسپتال | Hospital | Hospital |
| کلینک | Clinic | Clinic |
| ایمرجنسی | Emergency | Emergency |
| وارڈ | Ward | Hospital ward |
| آپریشن تھیٹر | Operation theatre | Operating room |
| نرس | Nurse | Nurse |
| مریض | Mareez | Patient |
| اپوائنٹمنٹ | Appointment | Appointment |
| پرچہ | Parcha | Prescription slip, ticket |
| نسخہ | Nuskha | Prescription |
| ایکس رے | X-ray | X-ray |
| الٹرا ساؤنڈ | Ultrasound | Ultrasound |
| خون کا ٹیسٹ | Khoon ka test | Blood test |
| رپورٹ | Report | Test report |
| Urdu Phrase | Roman | English |
|---|---|---|
| مجھے ڈاکٹر کو دکھانا ہے | Mujhe doctor ko dikhana hai | I need to see a doctor |
| میں بیمار ہوں | Main beemaar hoon | I am sick |
| مجھے بخار ہے | Mujhe bukhar hai | I have a fever |
| میرے پیٹ میں درد ہے | Mere pet mein dard hai | I have a stomachache |
| دو دن سے یہ درد ہے | Do din se yeh dard hai | I have had this pain for two days |
| سانس لینے میں تکلیف ہے | Saans lene mein takleef hai | I have breathing difficulty |
| مجھے دوائی سے الرجی ہے | Mujhe dawai se allergy hai | I am allergic to medicine |
| فیس کتنی ہے؟ | Fees kitni hai? | What is the fee? |
At the Pharmacy
| Urdu | Roman Urdu | English |
|---|---|---|
| فارمیسی / میڈیکل سٹور | Pharmacy / Medical store | Pharmacy |
| دوائی | Dawai | Medicine |
| گولی | Goli | Tablet, pill |
| کیپسول | Capsule | Capsule |
| سیرپ | Syrup | Syrup |
| انجیکشن | Injection | Injection |
| ٹیکا | Teeka | Vaccination, injection |
| مرہم | Marham | Ointment |
| پٹی | Patti | Bandage |
| پلاسٹر | Plaster | Adhesive plaster |
| نسخہ | Nuskha | Prescription |
| پرسکرپشن | Prescription | Prescription |
| دن میں کتنی بار؟ | Din mein kitni baar? | How many times a day? |
| کھانے کے بعد | Khaane ke baad | After meals |
| کھانے سے پہلے | Khaane se pehle | Before meals |
| سونے سے پہلے | Sone se pehle | Before sleeping |
| خالی پیٹ | Khaali pet | Empty stomach |
| سائیڈ ایفیکٹ | Side effect | Side effect |
| Urdu Phrase | Roman | English |
|---|---|---|
| یہ دوائی کیسے لینی ہے؟ | Yeh dawai kaise leni hai? | How do I take this medicine? |
| سر درد کی گولی دیں | Sar dard ki goli dein | Give me a headache pill |
| ڈسپرین | Disprin | Disprin (aspirin brand) |
| پیناڈول | Panadol | Panadol (paracetamol) |
| اینٹی بائیوٹک | Antibiotic | Antibiotic |
| یہ بغیر نسخے کے ملے گا؟ | Yeh baghair nuskhe ke milega? | Available without prescription? |
"Pakistani pharmacies dispense most medications without prescription, including antibiotics, despite official regulations to the contrary. This is changing slowly but in 2024 a typical Pakistani pharmacy will sell antibiotics, painkillers, and even controlled substances without strict prescription enforcement. Foreigners should not abuse this; misuse of antibiotics is a public health crisis in Pakistan as elsewhere."
Traditional Medicine: Hakim and Unani
The Unani-tibb (literally "Greek medicine", an Arabic term reflecting its origins in Galenic theory transmitted through Persian-Arabic medicine) is a parallel medical system flourishing in Pakistan and India. A hakim prescribes herbal preparations, joshandahs (decoctions), and dietary changes, working from a humoural theory.
| Urdu | Roman Urdu | English |
|---|---|---|
| حکیم | Hakim | Hakim, Unani practitioner |
| طب | Tibb | Medicine (the field) |
| یونانی طب | Unani tibb | Unani medicine |
| دیسی دوائی | Desi dawai | Local/traditional medicine |
| جڑی بوٹی | Jadi buti | Herb |
| جوشاندہ | Joshandah | Herbal decoction |
| کشتہ | Kushta | Calcined mineral medicine |
| معجون | Maajoon | Herbal paste, often tonic |
| شربت | Sharbat | Medicinal syrup |
| تیل | Tel | Oil (medicinal application) |
| روح افزا | Rooh Afza | Iconic herbal tonic drink |
| طبیعت | Tabiyat | Constitution, temperament |
The hakim's vocabulary of body humours (akhlaat) and temperament (mizaaj) is a cultural constant in Pakistani health discourse. People describe themselves as having a garm mizaaj (hot temperament, prone to anger and acidity) or thanda mizaaj (cool temperament, prone to phlegm and lethargy), and select foods accordingly. This humoural folk medicine survives alongside allopathic care in nearly every household.
First Aid and Emergencies
| Urdu | Roman Urdu | English |
|---|---|---|
| ابتدائی طبی امداد | Ibtidaai tibbi imdad | First aid |
| ایمبولینس | Ambulance | Ambulance |
| ایمرجنسی | Emergency | Emergency |
| 1122 | Eleven twenty-two | Pakistani emergency number |
| دل کا دورہ پڑا ہے | Dil ka daurra para hai | Has had a heart attack |
| سانس نہیں آ رہی | Saans nahin aa rahi | Cannot breathe |
| خون بہہ رہا ہے | Khoon beh raha hai | Bleeding |
| بے ہوش ہے | Behosh hai | Is unconscious |
| فریکچر | Fracture | Fracture |
| ہڈی ٹوٹ گئی | Haddi toot gayi | Broken bone |
| جل گیا | Jal gaya | Burned |
| زہر کھا لیا | Zehr kha liya | Has been poisoned |
| سانپ نے ڈسا | Saanp ne dasa | Snake bite |
| دل دہلانے والی صورتحال | Dil dahlane wali soorat-e-haal | A heart-stopping situation |
Common Mistakes
Confusing dard hai with dard ho raha hai: Both mean "I have pain" but with subtle differences. Dard hai is general, ongoing condition. Dard ho raha hai is happening right now, immediate. A doctor asking about chronic pain wants dard hai; about acute episode, dard ho raha hai.
Using English doctor for hakim: A hakim is not the same as a doctor. The two systems prescribe different medications and the patient should be clear which system they are consulting. Asking for "doctor sahab" while in a hakim's clinic is awkward.
Mixing up nazla and zukaam: Both mean "cold" but nazla emphasises nasal congestion, zukaam emphasises the broader cold-and-cough syndrome. Pakistani usage often blends them; precision matters in medical context.
Forgetting Pakistani pharmacy regulations: While many medications are available without prescription, controlled substances like opioids and certain psychiatric medications require valid documentation. Foreigners requesting drugs they would need a prescription for at home should be prepared to show their home prescription.
Saying English-only medical descriptions in rural areas: A rural Sindhi patient may not understand "vomiting" but knows ulti aa rahi hai. Use Urdu medical vocabulary in rural contexts; switch to English with English-fluent urban specialists.
Mis-pronouncing dard: The d in dard is dental (tongue against teeth), distinct from the retroflex r. Mispronouncing it as "darrd" (English-style retroflex) makes it harder for Pakistani listeners to parse.
Quick Reference Card
| Need | Urdu Phrase |
|---|---|
| I am sick | Main beemaar hoon |
| I have a headache | Mere sar mein dard hai |
| I have a fever | Mujhe bukhar hai |
| I am in pain | Mujhe dard ho raha hai |
| Call a doctor | Doctor ko bulao |
| Where is the hospital? | Hospital kahan hai? |
| Give me a headache pill | Sar dard ki goli dein |
| I am allergic to ... | Mujhe ... se allergy hai |
| How many times a day? | Din mein kitni baar? |
| After meals | Khaane ke baad |
| Help! | Madad! |
| Ambulance please | Ambulance bulaaein |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get medicine without a prescription in Pakistan? For most common medications including antibiotics, painkillers, and many anti-inflammatories, yes. Pharmacies dispense over the counter despite official rules. Controlled substances (opioids, psychiatric drugs) require prescription. Tourist-area pharmacies near hospitals are stricter than neighbourhood ones.
Is Pakistani healthcare safe for foreigners? Major private hospitals in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad offer high-quality care comparable to Western private healthcare at a fraction of the cost. Aga Khan University Hospital, Shaukat Khanum, and Indus Hospital are world-class. Public hospitals are overcrowded and quality varies. Travel insurance with Pakistan coverage is recommended.
What is a hakim and should I see one? A hakim practices Unani-tibb, the Persian-Greek-Arab medical tradition focused on herbs and humoural balance. Hakims are appropriate for chronic conditions, dietary issues, and traditional remedies. For acute issues (broken bones, infections, surgery), see a Western-trained doctor. Many Pakistanis use both systems situationally.
How do I describe pain accurately to an Urdu-speaking doctor? Mere [body part] mein dard hai (I have pain in my ...). Quantify: bahut (a lot), thoda (a little). Quality: tez (sharp), halka (mild), mustaqil (constant), achaanak (sudden). Duration: do din se (for two days), ek hafte se (for a week). The framework lets the doctor triage.
Are Pakistani pharmacies cheaper than Western ones? Dramatically so for generic medications, often 10 to 20 per cent of US/UK prices. Branded imported drugs can still be expensive. Pakistani pharmacies stock both local and imported brands; ask for desi (local) versus videshi (foreign) options if cost matters.
What is shugar and is it the same as diabetes? Yes. Shugar (English "sugar" used as a noun in Urdu) is the colloquial term for diabetes mellitus. The formal Urdu word is ziyaabaitas, and medical reports use that. In casual speech, especially among older or rural Pakistanis, shugar dominates.
Should I drink tap water in Pakistan? No. Stick to bottled water (the Pakistani brands Nestle Pure Life and Aquafina are widely available) or boiled water. Tap water in Pakistani cities is variable and typically not safe for foreign stomachs. Brushing teeth with bottled water is also wise during the first week of acclimatisation.
See Also
- Urdu Common Phrases and Daily Conversation Reference
- Urdu Travel Phrases and Tourist Guide Reference
- Urdu Persian and Arabic Loanwords
- Urdu Alphabet and Nasta'liq Script Complete Guide
- Urdu Conversations and Daily Phrases by Register
- Urdu Grammar: Cases, Gender and Ergative
- Urdu in Pakistan, India and the Diaspora
Author: Kalenux Team
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get medicine without a prescription in Pakistan?
For most common medications including antibiotics and painkillers, yes. Pharmacies dispense over the counter. Controlled substances require prescription. Tourist-area pharmacies near hospitals are stricter.
Is Pakistani healthcare safe for foreigners?
Major private hospitals in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad offer high-quality care comparable to Western private healthcare at a fraction of cost. Aga Khan, Shaukat Khanum, and Indus Hospital are world-class.
What is a hakim and should I see one?
A hakim practices Unani-tibb, the Persian-Greek-Arab tradition. Appropriate for chronic conditions and traditional remedies. For acute issues see a Western-trained doctor.
How do I describe pain accurately?
Mere [body part] mein dard hai. Quantify with bahut or thoda. Quality with tez (sharp) or halka (mild). Duration with do din se. The framework lets the doctor triage.
Are Pakistani pharmacies cheaper than Western ones?
Dramatically so for generic medications, often 10 to 20 per cent of US prices. Branded imported drugs can still be expensive. Ask for desi versus videshi options.
What is shugar and is it the same as diabetes?
Yes. Shugar is the colloquial term for diabetes mellitus. The formal Urdu word is ziyaabaitas. Medical reports use the formal term; everyday speech uses shugar.
Should I drink tap water in Pakistan?
No. Stick to bottled water (Nestle Pure Life, Aquafina) or boiled water. Tap water is variable. Brushing teeth with bottled water is also wise during early acclimatisation.
