And now, let’s take a closer look at the letter ‘ain’ and what makes it so unique. We saw this mentioned earlier that ‘ain’ has the ability to take upon any of the vowel sounds in Urdu.

INTERESTING

 

One should note that in the Urdu script, ‘ain’ is not a vowel by itself, but is treated as one. It is important that this subtle distinction be remembered. We will see why this is so later on in this course, when we learn about the letter ‘hamza’.

For now, let’s move on and look at some cases where ‘ain’ takes upon distinct vowel sounds and try and understand how this works.

16.2.1: As the short-vowel ‘a’

The short-vowel sound ‘a’ (अ) created by ‘ain’ is depicted by placing a zabar over it as shown below:

عَع
  • ain zabar (‘a’)
  • ऐन ज़बर (अ)

Above: Representation of the short-vowel ‘a’ created by ‘ain’. Notice the zabar over it.

IMPORTANT

Since ‘ain’ takes upon every vowel sound we’ve learnt so far, the examples on this page will be written complete with “eraab” (Remember zer, zabar and pesh?) to make things a little easier to understand and build our vocabulary in the process.

Re-iterating from all that we’ve learnt so far, these diacritics are not used in common practice, but have been provided here for greater clarity while learning.


We came across the word “arsh” (अर्श), meaning “sky” earlier. Taking our cues from the rules we’ve just learnt, here’s how it would be written with the eraab:

عَرشعرش
  • arsh
  • अर्श

Above: The word “arsh” shown written with a zabar over the ‘ain’

Here’s another example we came across earlier written complete with diacritics - the word “as.ad” (अस'अद) meaning “more/most”. Notice the placement of the two zabars in there:

اَسعَداسعَد
  • as.ad
  • अस

Above: The word “as.ad”

Here’s one more, complete with diacritics - the word “abbaas” (अब्बास), meaning “a proper name”:

عَبّاسعباس
  • abbaas
  • अब्बास
=
س
  • siin
  • सीन
+
ا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़
+
ّ
  • tashdiid
  • तश्दीद
+
ب
  • be
  • बे
+
عَع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘be’ + tashdiid  + 'alif' + ‘siin’ = “abbaas”

Here’s the word “shujaa.at” (शुजा'अत), meaning “bravery” in continuation of the word “shujaa.a” we saw earlier:

شُجاعَتشجاعت
  • shujaa.at
  • शुजाअत
=
ت
  • te
  • ते
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
ا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़
+
ج
  • jiim
  • जीम
+
ش
  • shiin
  • शीन

Above: ‘shiin’ + ‘jiim’ + ‘alif’ + ‘ain’ + ‘te’ = “shujaa.at”

16.2.2: As the long-vowel ‘aa’

‘ain’ creates the long-vowel sound ‘aa’ (आ)when:


‘ain’ is followed by an ‘alif’

‘ain’ is preceded by an ‘alif’ or another consonant


IMPORTANT


It is important to note that in both the cases above, the ‘ain’ appears as it is and there is no zabar placed over it. This is a significant difference between when it acts as ‘a’ and when it creates the sound of ‘aa’.

Here’s an illustration where ‘ain’ is followed by an ‘alif’:

عا
  • aa
=
ا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ is followed by ‘alif’ to create the long-vowel sound “aa”

Look at the word “aadat” (आदत), meaning “habit”, as an example:

عادت
  • aadat
  • आदत
=
ت
  • te
  • ते
+
د
  • daal
  • दाल
+
ا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘alif’ + ‘daal’ + ‘te’ = “aadat”

Here’s an illustration where ‘ain’ is preceded by an ‘alif’ and creates the long-vowel sound ‘aa’:

اع
  • aa
=
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
ا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़

Above: ‘ain’ is preceded by ‘alif’ to create the long-vowel sound “aa”

Look at the word “aasaab” (आसाब), meaning “nerves”, as an example:

اعصاب
  • aasaab
  • आसाब
=
ب
  • be
  • बे
+
ا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़
+
ص
  • suaad
  • सु
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
ا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़

Above: ‘alif’ + ‘ain’ + ‘suaad’ + ‘alif’ + ‘be’ = “aasaab”

To see how ‘ain’ creates the sound of ‘aa’ when preceded by a consonant, let’s look at the word “baad” (बाद), meaning “after”:

بعد
  • baad
  • बाद
=
د
  • daal
  • दाल
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
ب
  • be
  • बे

Above: ‘be’ + ‘ain’ + ‘daal’ = “baad”

Notice that, in the example above, the ‘ain’ does not carry a zabar above it.

INTERESTING

The word “baad” (बाद), when written with an ‘ain’ means “after”, which is the commonly used word we all know. The same word, when written with an ‘alif’ instead, means “air”. We’ll look at more of such Homophones(?) once we’ve covered ‘ain’ thoroughly.


Here’s another example along the same lines - the word “baaz” (बाज़), meaning “some/few”:

بعض
  • baaz
  • बाज़
=
ض
  • zuaad
  • दाल
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
ب
  • be
  • बे

Above: ‘be’ + ‘ain’ + ‘zuaad’ = “baaz”

16.2.3: As the short-vowel ‘i’

The short-vowel sound ‘i’ (इ) created by ‘ain’ is depicted by placing a zer under it as shown below:

عِع
  • ain zer (‘i’)
  • ऐन ज़ेर (इ)

Above: Representation of the short-vowel ‘i’ created by ‘ain’. Notice the zer under it.

This is similar to the case we studied above where a zabar was placed over the ‘ain’ to create the short-vowel sound ‘a’. And now, let’s look at the word “itr” (इत्र), meaning “perfume/essence” to see this in action:

عِطْرعطْر
  • itr
  • इत्र
=
ر
  • re
  • रे
+
ط
  • toey
  • तोए
+
عِع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘toey’ + ‘re’ = “itr”

INTERESTING

In the example above, of course, the ‘ain’ carries a zer under it. But did you notice the jazm over the ‘toey’ there? Here’s a comparative illustrating how the same word would be written in common practice without these diacritics:

عطر
  • itr
  • इत्र
=
عِطْرعطْر
  • itr
  • इत्र

Above: The word “itr” with and without the diacritcs

These examples are only to reinforce the rules of self-implication when it comes to diacritics and help you get used to how commonly used words are written. So the next time you see the word “itr” without diacritics, you should be able to read it fluently.

Here’s the word “ishrat” (इशरत), meaning “joy/delight”, in a similar vein:

عِشرتعشرت
  • ishrat
  • इशरत
=
ت
  • te
  • ते
+
ر
  • re
  • रे
+
ش
  • shiin
  • शीन
+
عِع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘shiin’ + ‘re’ + ‘te’ = “ishrat”

Here’s another one - the word “ibaadat” (इबादत), meaning “worship”:

عِبادتعبادت
  • ibaadat
  • इबादत
=
ت
  • te
  • ते
+
د
  • daal
  • दाल
+
ا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़
+
ب
  • be
  • बे
+
عِع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘be’ + ‘alif’ + ‘daal’ + ‘te’ = “ibaadat”

16.3.4: As the long-vowel ‘ii’

To create the long-vowel sound ‘ii’ (ई), ‘ain’ connects with the ‘chhoTii ye’ as can be seen below:

عی
  • ii

Above: Representation of the long-vowel ‘ii’

For example, let’s take a look at the word “rubaa.ii” (रुबाई), meaning “quatrain/four lines of poetry”:

رُباعیرباعی
  • rubaa.ii
  • रुबाई
=
ی
  • chhoTii ye
  • छोटी ये
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
ا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़
+
ب
  • be
  • बे
+
ر
  • re
  • रे

Above: ‘re’ + ‘be’ + ‘alif’ + ‘ain’ + ‘chhoTii ye’ = “rubaa.ii”

Here it is again in the word “iid” (ईद), the “Islamic religious festival”:

عید
  • iid
  • ईद
=
د
  • daal
  • दाल
+
ی
  • chhoTii ye
  • छोटी ये
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘chhoTii ye’ + ‘daal’ = “iid”

Here’s another - the word “iisvii” (ईस्वी), meaning “of Jesus/A.D.”:

عیسوی
  • iisvii
  • ईस्वी
=
ی
  • chhoTii ye
  • छोटी ये
+
و
  • vaao
  • वाओ
+
س
  • siin
  • सीन
+
ی
  • chhoTii ye
  • छोटी ये
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘chhoTii ye’ + ‘siin’ + ‘vaao’ + ‘chhoTii ye’ = “iisvii”

16.3.5: As the short-vowel ‘u’

The short-vowel sound ‘u’ (उ) created by ‘ain’ is depicted by placing a pesh above it as shown below:

عُع
  • ain pesh (‘u’)
  • ऐन पेश (उ)

Above: Representation of the short-vowel ‘u’ created by ‘ain’. Notice the pesh above it.

This is again similar to the cases we’ve seen above where the ‘ain’ takes upon short-vowel sounds. And now, let’s look at the word “urs” (उर्स), meaning “death anniversary of a saint” to see how this words:

عُرسعرس
  • urs
  • उर्स
=
س
  • siin
  • सीन
+
ر
  • re
  • रे
+
عُع
  • ain + pesh (‘u’)
  • ऐन पेश (उ)

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘re’ + ‘siin’ = “urs”

Here it is again in the word “unsur” (उन्सुर), meaning “element”:

عُنصرعنصر
  • unsur
  • उन्सुर
=
ر
  • re
  • रे
+
ص
  • suaad
  • सुआद
+
ن
  • nuun
  • नून
+
عُع
  • ain + pesh (‘u’)
  • ऐन पेश (उ)

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘nuun’ + ‘suaad’ + ‘re’ = “unsur”

16.3.6: As the long-vowel ‘uu’

To create the long-vowel sound ‘uu’ (ऊ), ‘ain’ connects with the ‘vaao’ as can be seen below:

عو
  • uu

Above: Representation of the long-vowel ‘uu’

This can be seen in the word “oud” (ऊद), meaning “incense/timber/aloes-wood”, also a popular perfume-fragrance:

عود
  • oud
  • ऊद
=
د
  • daal
  • दाल
+
و
  • vaao
  • वाओ
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘vaao’ + ‘daal’ = “oud”

And here’s the word “shu.uur” (शुऊर), meaning “knowledge/understanding”:

شعور
  • shu.uur
  • शुऊर
=
ر
  • re
  • रे
+
و
  • vaao
  • वाओ
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
ش
  • shiin
  • शीन

Above: ‘shiin’ + ‘ain’ + ‘vaao’ + ‘daal’ = “shu.uur”

IMPORTANT

In the example above, the word ‘shu.uur’ (श'ऊर) is pronounced as  and not as “shuur” (शूर) which would sound like   .

16.3.7: As the short-vowel ‘e’

‘ain’ takes upon the short-vowel sound ‘e’ (ए) when preceded by a letter carrying a zer below it. Look at the illustration below for a basic representation of this:

اِعاع
  • e

Above: Representation of the short-vowel ‘e’. Notice the zer under the ‘alif’ here.

This can be seen clearly in the word “ejaaz” (एजाज़), meaning “miracle”:

اِعجازاعجاز
  • ejaaz
  • एजाज़
=
ز
  • ze
  • ज़े
+
ا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़
+
ج
  • jiim
  • जीम
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
اِا
  • alif
  • अलिफ़

Above: ‘alif’ + ‘ain’ + ‘jiim’ + ‘alif’ + ‘ze’ = “ejaaz”

Here’s a word where a consonant carrying a zer appears before the ‘ain’ - the word “sher” (शेर), meaning “a poetic verse/couplet”:

شِعرشعر
  • sher
  • शेर
=
ر
  • re
  • रे
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
شِش
  • shiin
  • शीन

Above: ‘shiin’ + ‘ain’ + ‘re’ = “sher”

Not only is the word “sher” one of the most popular words in the Urdu language and poetry, it also serves as a prime example here illustrating how ‘ain’ takes on the sound of the short-vowel ‘e’.

16.3.8: As the long-vowel ‘ai’

The long-vowel sound ‘ai’ (ऐ) is represented by joining ‘ain’ and ‘baḌii ye’ with the addition of a zabar placed over the ‘ain’:

عَےعے
  • ai

Above: Representation of the long-vowel ‘ai’. Notice the zabar over the ‘ain’.

This can be seen in the name of this letter itself - the word “ain” (ऐन), meaning “the Urdu letter ain/exact”:

عَینعین
  • ain
  • ऐन
=
ن
  • nuun
  • नून
+
ے
  • ba.Dii ye
  • बड़ी ये
+
عَع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘ba.Dii ye’ + ‘nuun’ = “ain”

Here’s another word “shuaib” (शुऐब), also commonly spelled as “shoaib”, meaning “the one who shows the right path”:

شُعَیبشعیب
  • shuaib
  • शुऐब
=
ب
  • be
  • बे
+
ے
  • ba.Dii ye
  • बड़ी ये
+
عَع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
ش
  • shiin
  • शीन

Above: ‘shiin’ + ‘ain’ + ‘ba.Dii ye’ + ‘be’ = “shuaib”

16.3.9: As the short-vowel ‘o’

‘ain’ takes upon the short-vowel sound ‘o’ (ए) when preceded by a letter carrying a pesh above it. Look at the illustration below for a basic representation of this:

اُعاع
  • o

Above: Representation of the short-vowel ‘o’. Notice the pesh above the ‘alif’ here.

This can be seen in the word “bod” (बोद), meaning “distance”. Here, the consonant ‘be’ carries a self-implied pesh above it:

بُعدبعد
  • bod
  • बोद
=
د
  • daal
  • दाल
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
بُب
  • be
  • बे

Above: ‘be’ + ‘ain’ + ‘daal’ = “bod”

IMPORTANT

It is important to note that this is quite different from when ‘ain’ acts as the short-vowel ‘u’. The difference being:

The pesh is placed directly above the ‘ain’ in the case of the short-vowel ‘u’ whereas,

The pesh is placed above the letter preceding the ‘ain’ in the case of the short-vowel ‘o’

Here’s another example illustrating this - the word “rob” (रोब), meaning “awe/fear”:

رُعبرعب
  • rob
  • रोब
=
ب
  • be
  • बे
+
ع
  • ain
  • ऐन
+
رُر
  • re
  • रे


Above: ‘re’ + ‘ain’ + ‘be’ = “rob”

16.3.10: As the long-vowel ‘au’

The long-vowel sound ‘au’ (औ) is represented by joining ‘ain’ and ‘vaao’ with the addition of a zabar placed over the ‘ain’:

عَوعو
  • au

Above: Representation of the long-vowel ‘au’. Notice the zabar over the ‘ain’.

This can be seen clearly in the simple word “aun” (औन), meaning “assistance”:

عَونعون
  • aun
  • औन
=
ن
  • nuun
  • नून
+
و
  • vaao
  • वाओ
+
عَع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘vaao’ + ‘nuun’ = “aun”

Similarly, here’s the word “aurat” (औरत), meaning “woman”:

عَورتعورت
  • aurat
  • औरत
=
ت
  • te
  • ते
+
ر
  • re
  • रे
+
و
  • vaao
  • वाओ
+
عَع
  • ain
  • ऐन

Above: ‘ain’ + ‘vaao’ + ‘re’ + ‘te’ = “aurat”

16.3.11: Some more words

Here are a few more words with ‘ain’ illustrating these vowel sounds we just learnt about. Have fun!

عابد
  • aabid
  • आबिद
عبادَت
  • ibaadat
  • इबादत
عِبارت
  • ibaarat
  • इबारत
عِبرَت
  • ibrat
  • इबरत
عِشرت
  • ishrat
  • इशरत
عِتاب
  • itaab
  • इताब
عَدَد
  • adad
  • अदद
عَداوَت
  • adaavat
  • अदावत
عَرَب
  • arab
  • अरब
عِزَّت
  • izzat
  • इज़्ज़त
عزیز
  • aziiz
  • अज़ीज़
عریضہ
  • ariiza
  • अरीज़ा
عَرض
  • araz
  • अरज़
عورَت
  • aurat
  • औरत
عَذاب
  • azaab
  • अज़ाब
عُرس
  • urs
  • उर्स
عَرصہ
  • arsa
  • अर्सा
عِوَض
  • ivaz
  • इवज़
وَعدہ
  • vaada
  • वादा

aabid

आबिद

Phew! That was something, wasn’t it? Well, that was almost everything you need to know about ‘ain’. On the next page, we’ll look at one final interesting aspect of this letter and we’ll  also comes across those Homophones we spoke of earlier.