Counting is one of the very first topics you can learn while getting to know a new language. It’s basic, easy, and a great trick at parties! “Hey, guess how many languages I can count in?” is always a wonderful conversation starter, and bonus points for cuteness if your kid does it.
If you’re on the lookout for fun ways to help your kids learn counting or to kickstart your own counting adventure, songs and rhymes are a fantastic place to start! Tunes and rhymes work wonders for remembering new words, especially when diving into a new language. Maybe you’re wondering, “Where should I begin?”
As someone in the education field, I’ve got you covered with a range of rhymes suitable for different language familiarity levels and age groups, from beginners to more advanced learners. So, whether you’ve got toddlers or preschoolers, you’ll find something here to keep them entertained while they learn. The best part is, they’re catchy enough for even adults to sing along. So, don’t be shy! Teen, dou, ek, let’s learn to count in Urdu together! Chalo! 🏊
1) A Song for All Beginners (Kids & Adults) to Count 1 to 10 with Confidence: Dhobi aaya, Dhobi Aaya
The “Dhobi Aaya” song is a gem I’ve found ideal for learners of all ages. Whether your little one is just dipping their toes into the world of language or already stringing together sentences, this rhyme is a must-have in their collection.
Why is it such a standout? Well, it’s short, sweet, and oh-so-repetitive, making it a powerhouse for learning those crucial counting skills from 1 to 10 in Urdu. But it’s not just about education; it’s about having a blast while learning too! The simplicity of each sentence and the length of the rhyme make it easy for all ages to learn, retain, and repeat Urdu counting with a catchy rhythm and playful vibe.
In my Shairu course, I’ve seen firsthand how this rhyme works its magic. From 4-year-olds to the savvy 6-year-olds, it’s been a smash hit! And in my private lessons with all ages, learning counting in Urdu became super easy with this song. So, if you’re ready to sprinkle some joy into your or your child’s learning journey, give this rhyme a try. Get ready to chant “Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya!” and watch the smiles light up the faces. Trust me; it’s pure magic! 🌟
Pro Tip: “Bus” (pronounce it like a school bus) is one of the most common words in Urdu. It means stop or that’s it. Remember to use it next time you want someone/something to stop.
Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya, (Washer person came, washer person came)
Kitnay Kupray laaya? (How many clothes did he bring?)
Ek, Dou, Teen, (One, Two, Three)
Chaar, Paanch, Chay, (Four, Five, Six)
Saat, Aath, Naw, (Seven, Eight, Nine)
Dus, Aur Bus. (Ten, and That’s It.)
2) A Children’s Rhyme for Beginner Kids: Ek, Dou, Teen, Haathi Niklay
This catchy rhythm is perfect for young children! Beautifully written and sung by Bilal Maqsood, this rhyme has a way of sticking in your mind. I found myself playing it on repeat while creating resources for my courses, and I absolutely loved it! If you follow me on Instagram and have seen my stories, you already know how much I enjoy it, haha!
You can imagine how much kids would love it too. I tested this rhyme in my Shairu course with children aged 4-6, and it was a huge hit, especially among the 4-year-olds. They quickly learned and remembered the song and were eager to sing along. The video itself is a joy to watch, with fun animations and incredibly creative expressions of the elephant and the tortoise. It’s truly phenomenal! There are only a handful of Urdu rhymes that spark the imagination like this one.
I recommend this rhyme for all ages, but given that the second sentence might be a bit long for kids under 5, it’s especially great for ages 5 to 10 and even older kids who enjoy fun animations and good music (like me!). The rhyme’s simplicity, with its repeated second sentence, makes it easy for young children to follow along. Once your little ones have mastered “Dhobi Aaya,” this rhyme could be the next step to introduce them to more vocabulary, creativity, and imagination.
Ek, Dou, Teen, (One, Two, Three,)
Haathi niklay meray school kay chotay bustay say (Elephants came out of my small backpack)
Chaar, Paanch, Chay, (Four, Five, Six,)
Haathi niklay meray school kay chotay bustay say (Elephants came out of my small backpack)
Saat, Aath, Naw, Dus (Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten)
Haathi niklay meray school kay chotay bustay say (Elephants came out of my small backpack)
3) Kids & Adults, Level Up Your Counting & Vocabulary with This Song: Dhobi aaya, Dhobi Aaya
Time to level up the fun! If you or your kiddo have outgrown the basics and are ready for a bit more challenge, this intermediate-level rhyme is the perfect next step. It’s a step up from the earlier version we discussed, featuring longer sentences and a tad more complexity, like a cool older sibling of the one we talked about earlier. But fear not, the essence of counting fun remains intact!
Designed for slightly older kids, say around 5 to 10-year-olds or for adults, this one starts off with a catchy melody that’ll have everyone tapping their toes. Once the counting begins, the sentences are shorter, simpler, and packed with repetition – the perfect combo for eager learners.
So go ahead, turn up the volume and groove to the rhythm of “Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya,” and watch yourself or your child counting the way to ten!
Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya, (Washer person came, washer person came)
Kitnay Kupray laaya? (How many clothes did he bring?)
Gin kay butaao zara, kitnay kupray laaya? (Tell please after counting, how many clothes did he bring?)
Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya, (Washer person came, washer person came)
Kitnay Kupray laaya? (How many clothes did he bring?)
Ek, Dou, Teen, (One, Two, Three)
Chaar, Paanch, Chay, (Four, Five, Six)
Saat, Aath, Naw, (Seven, Eight, Nine)
Dus, Aur Bus. (Ten, and That’s It.)
Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya, (Washer person came, washer person came)
Konsay Kupray laaya? (Which clothes did he bring?)
Dekh kay butaao zara, konsay kupray laaya? (Tell please after looking, which clothes did he bring?)
Laal laaya (Brought red)
Peela laaya (Brought yellow)
Subz aur neela laaya (Brought green and blue)
Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya, (Washer person came, washer person came)
Konsay Kupray laaya? (Which clothes did he bring?)
Dekh kay butaao zara, konsay kupray laaya? (Tell please after looking, which clothes did he bring?)
Kurta laaya (Brought a shirt)
Chaadur laaya (Brought a sheet)
Topi mozay laaya (Brought cap and socks)
Lala lala .. lala lala .. lala lala laalaa
BONUS: Gamify everyday actions with counting. Here’s how!
Use different people or professions and make your own rhyme by adding what did they bring. I’m sharing five different examples below to help you get started.
Example 1: Phul waala aaya, phul waala aaya, kitnay phul laaya? (The fruit seller came, the fruit seller came, how many fruits did he bring?)
Example 2: Subzi waala aaya, subzi waala aaya, kitni subzi (plural: subziyaan) laaya? (The vegetable seller came, the vegetable seller came, how many vegetables did he bring?)
Example 3: Ammi aain, ammi aain, kitnay tohfay laain? (Mom came, mom came, how many gifts did she bring?)
Example 4: Abbu aaye, abbu aaye, kitnay tohfay laain? (Dad came, dad came, how many gifts did he bring?
Example 5: Doctor aaya, doctor aaya, kitni duwaaiyyaan laaya? (The doctor came, the doctor came, how many medicines did he bring?)
Notes: Urdu has names for different people because it’s common to have street sellers selling fruits or vegetables while walking with their carts in every street. In Pakistani households, it’s common to purchase fruits or vegetables from the street sellers. Another interesting thing that you may have noticed is how the word “how many” in Urdu changes with the gender of the object. Kitnay is used for masculine objects that are brought such as phul and tohfay. For feminine objects such as duwaai (duwaaiyaan) and subzi (subziyaan), use kitni. Similarly, the word “came” in Urdu changes with the gender of the person. Aaya is used for singular/informal masculine such as subzi waala or phul waala. Aaye is used for singular/formal masculine such as abbu. And aain is used for singular/plural feminine such as ammi.
Most important reminder: As you try this activity with the kids, don’t forget to have fun!
Teacher Tip: I must add that children can benefit from exposure to rhymes and songs in different languages from a very early age, even as early as infancy. Byers-Heinlein, Morin-Lessard, & Lew-Williams (2017) have mentioned that infants as young as six months old can detect differences in sounds between languages, and that exposure to multiple languages can have cognitive and developmental benefits. However, the optimal age for exposing children to rhymes of different languages may vary depending on the child’s individual characteristics and the cultural and linguistic environment they grow up in. Some children may be more receptive to language learning at an earlier age, while others may benefit from waiting until they are a bit older.
4) A Rhyme for Advanced Learners: Perfect for Older Kids: Ek, Dou, Teen, Chaar
This rhyme is ideal for advanced learners and suitable for older children. It starts with simple counting in groups of four, which is easy to follow if your child has already mastered rhymes like “Dhobi Aaya” and is ready for a new challenge.
The rhyme includes counting from 1 to 30, making Urdu counting easier and more engaging by incorporating a school setting. A wonderful aspect of this rhyme is that, in addition to practicing Urdu counting, kids also get to enjoy basic Urdu vocabulary around going to school. Given the length of the rhyme, I recommend it for school-going children if they are advanced learners, and over the age of 7 if they are new to the language, and are ready to dive into more vocabulary.
Note: The best way to enjoy this rhyme is breaking it into parts to ensure each group of counting numbers is understood and memorized before you move onto the next one. Slow and steady wins the race!
Ek, Dou, Teen, Chaar, (One, Two, Three, Four)
Chalo chalen, school yaar. (Let’s go to school, friend)
Paanch, Chay, Saat, Aath, (Five, Six, Seven, Eight)
Purhna likhna achi baat. (Studying is good)
Naw, Dus, Giyaara, Baara, (Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve)
School humaara, sub say piyaara. (Our school is the best)
Tera, Chawda, Pundra, Sola, (Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen,Sixteen)
Mummy nay ye piyaar say bola. ( Mummy said it with love)
Sutra, Athaara, Un.nis, Bees, (Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty)
School say milti achi cheez. (We get fun things from school)
Ik.kis Baa.is, Tay.is, Chawbis, (Twenty one, Twenty two, Twenty three, Twenty four)
Tiffin mein laatay bread aur cheese.(We bring a cheese sandwich in our lunchbox)
Puch.chis, Chub.bis, Sut.taais, (Twenty five, Twenty six, Twenty seven)
Teacher saaray hotay nice. ( All teachers are nice)
Athaa.is, Unut.tis, Tees. (Twenty eight, Twenty nine, Thirty)
Puppa school ki bhurtay fees. (Papa pays the school fees)
5) A Unique Rhyme for Advanced Kids & Adults: Chaar Chaar, Laal Timaater
This rhyme is designed for advanced learners and is suitable for older children. Unlike other rhymes, it starts in the middle, beginning with the number 4. Since it contains no repetition and includes more complex words not commonly used in daily life (like names of vegetables and sweets), I recommend it for older kids who already have some familiarity with the language. For those who are new to Urdu, over the age of 7 might be a more appropriate age.
There’s an interesting story behind the inclusion of this rhyme. While researching for this post and discussing with my friend, Hadia, she recalled a rhyme from her childhood that her mother used to sing to her. She now has a baby daughter, and the fact that she still remembers this rhyme shows how much she enjoyed it back then. Naturally, she wanted to share it. However, when we looked it up on Google, we were surprised to find zero relevant search results. So, Hadia called her mom to ask her how she knew this incredibly elusive rhyme. She told us she read it from a book once and sang it to her. We asked around, and it seems nobody else has heard of this rhyme! Unbelievable, right? It’s amazing to know something that even Google doesn’t have, haha! Without further ado, here are the lyrics:
Without further ado, I’m writing the lyrics here.
Chaar chaar laal timaater (Four, four red tomatoes)
Aalu, kheera, aur chukunder (Potato, cucumber and beet)
Paanch pay roti khaaye bunder (On Five, the monkey eats roti)
Chay pay khichri, pait kay under (On Six , the khichri goes in my tummy)
Saat huay ub Aath pay aaja (Seven is done, let’s come to Eight)
Bhaag kay aaja, bhaag kay aaja (Run to me, run to me)
Naw, naw, naw meri naa sun (Nine, nine, nine, don’t listen to me)
Hulvay say badaam na chun (Don’t pick the almonds from the halva)
Dus pay aa kay khaa lay phul (On Ten, you can eat the fruit)
Baaqi kul bhai baaqi kul (And do the rest tomorrow)
Note
Please note that the ages mentioned in this blog post are based on my observation as an educator. Each child has a unique learning style and level, so it’s best to see how your child reacts to any new rhyme or song you share with them. Age is tricky because it depends on multiple factors, including the child’s exposure to the language and their learning demeanor. The trick is to ensure they are comfortable and understand the words being said to them.
If you feel your child is not responding or doesn’t interact much in Urdu, enrolling them in Urdu lessons is a good step. These lessons will help build the foundation of the language, allowing them to fully understand you and feel comfortable hearing and speaking Urdu.
References:
Byers-Heinlein, K., Morin-Lessard, E., & Lew-Williams, C. (2017). Bilingual infants control their languages as they listen. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(34), 9032-9037.
