What is the Difference Between Urdu and Hindi?

Urdu and Hindi are two variants of the same language, Hindustani, and share many similarities. However, there are key differences between the two languages, particularly in their writing systems, literary traditions, and the regions where they are spoken.

1. Writing Systems: Hindi uses the Devnagri script, which is developed from Sanskrit and written from left-to-right. On the other hand, Urdu uses the right-to-left Nastalique script, derived from Persian and Arabic.
2. Literary Traditions: Hindi and Urdu have separate literary traditions, with Hindi being more influenced by Sanskrit and Urdu being more influenced by Persian and Arabic.
3. Regions: Hindi is the official language in India and is spoken by a majority of the population. Urdu, on the other hand, is the official language in Pakistan and is spoken by a significant portion of the population there.

Despite these differences, spoken Hindi and Urdu are very similar, with a shared grammar and phonology, as well as common words and influences from Turkic, Persian, and Arabic languages. At the conversational level and in everyday language, spoken Hindi and Urdu sound the same and are often used interchangeably. It is easy for someone who knows either Urdu or Hindi to learn the sister language.

Comparative Table: Urdu vs Hindi

I could not find any search results that directly address the differences between Urdu and Hindi. However, I can create a table based on my existing knowledge:

Please note that this table is based on my existing knowledge and might not be entirely accurate.