This lesson focuses on the postposition "to" which is expressed in Urdu as کو (ko). For a complete index of all lessons in this course, please visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
In Urdu, کو (ko) is a postposition (unlike English prepositions, Urdu postpositions come after the noun they modify). It serves multiple functions including marking the indirect object, indicating direction, and showing the direct object in certain constructions.
Question: What does کو (ko) mean in Urdu? Answer: کو (ko) is a postposition in Urdu that primarily means "to" in English. It marks indirect objects (to whom something is given), indicates direction (going to a place), and marks direct objects with specific or animate nouns. It follows the noun it modifies, unlike English "to" which precedes its object.
In this lesson, you'll encounter کو (ko) in various contexts: giving objects to people, going to places, speaking to someone, and marking specific direct objects. The examples progress from simple constructions to more complex sentences, helping you understand the versatile nature of this essential postposition.
Course Type: Language Learning Material Target Audience: English speakers learning Urdu Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate Learning Objective: Master the use of the Urdu postposition کو (ko) meaning "to" Lesson Format: Structured reading lesson with interlinear glossing, grammar explanations, and cultural context
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کو (ko) is a postposition that comes AFTER the noun it modifies -
It marks indirect objects (recipient of an action) -
It indicates direction or destination -
It marks specific or animate direct objects -
The word order differs significantly from English -
Understanding کو is essential for basic Urdu communication
6.1 میں I (main) کتاب book (kitaab) اُس him/her (us) کو to (ko) دیتا give (deta) ہوں am (hoon)
6.2 وہ She (woh) اسکول school (school) کو to (ko) جاتی goes (jaati) ہے is (hai)
6.3 بچہ Child (bachcha) اپنی his/her-own (apni) ماں mother (maan) کو to (ko) پھول flower (phool) دیتا gives (deta) ہے is (hai)
6.4 استاد Teacher (ustaad) طالبعلموں students (taalib-ilmon) کو to (ko) پڑھاتا teaches (parhaata) ہے is (hai)
6.5 ہم We (hum) بازار market (bazaar) کو to (ko) جا go (jaa) رہے -ing (rahe) ہیں are (hain)
6.6 تم You (tum) مجھ me (mujh) کو to (ko) کیا what (kya) کہہ say (keh) رہے -ing (rahe) ہو are (ho)
6.7 ڈاکٹر Doctor (daaktar) مریض patient (mareez) کو to (ko) دوا medicine (dawa) دیتا gives (deta) ہے is (hai)
6.8 لڑکی Girl (larki) اپنے her-own (apne) دوست friend (dost) کو to (ko) خط letter (khat) لکھتی writes (likhti) ہے is (hai)
6.9 باپ Father (baap) بیٹے son (bete) کو to (ko) نصیحت advice (naseehat) کرتا does (karta) ہے is (hai)
6.10 وہ They (woh) دہلی Delhi (dehli) کو to (ko) کل tomorrow (kal) جائیں will-go (jaayen) گے will (ge)
6.11 میری My (meri) بہن sister (behan) مجھ me (mujh) کو to (ko) کہانی story (kahaani) سناتی tells (sunaati) ہے is (hai)
6.12 دکاندار Shopkeeper (dukandaar) گاہک customer (gaahak) کو to (ko) سامان goods (saamaan) بیچتا sells (bechta) ہے is (hai)
6.13 ماں Mother (maan) بچوں children (bachchon) کو to (ko) کھانا food (khaana) کھلاتی feeds (khilaati) ہے is (hai)
6.14 پرندے Birds (parinde) درخت tree (darakht) کو to (ko) واپس back (waapas) آتے come (aate) ہیں are (hain)
6.15 میں I (main) نے (past-marker) (ne) اُس him/her (us) کو to (ko) کتاب book (kitaab) دی gave (di)
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6.1 میں کتاب اُس کو دیتا ہوں۔ I give the book to him/her.
6.2 وہ اسکول کو جاتی ہے۔ She goes to school.
6.3 بچہ اپنی ماں کو پھول دیتا ہے۔ The child gives a flower to his mother.
6.4 استاد طالبعلموں کو پڑھاتا ہے۔ The teacher teaches the students.
6.5 ہم بازار کو جا رہے ہیں۔ We are going to the market.
6.6 تم مجھ کو کیا کہہ رہے ہو؟ What are you saying to me?
6.7 ڈاکٹر مریض کو دوا دیتا ہے۔ The doctor gives medicine to the patient.
6.8 لڑکی اپنے دوست کو خط لکھتی ہے۔ The girl writes a letter to her friend.
6.9 باپ بیٹے کو نصیحت کرتا ہے۔ The father gives advice to his son.
6.10 وہ دہلی کو کل جائیں گے۔ They will go to Delhi tomorrow.
6.11 میری بہن مجھ کو کہانی سناتی ہے۔ My sister tells me a story.
6.12 دکاندار گاہک کو سامان بیچتا ہے۔ The shopkeeper sells goods to the customer.
6.13 ماں بچوں کو کھانا کھلاتی ہے۔ The mother feeds food to the children.
6.14 پرندے درخت کو واپس آتے ہیں۔ The birds come back to the tree.
6.15 میں نے اُس کو کتاب دی۔ I gave the book to him/her.
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6.1 میں کتاب اُس کو دیتا ہوں۔
6.2 وہ اسکول کو جاتی ہے۔
6.3 بچہ اپنی ماں کو پھول دیتا ہے۔
6.4 استاد طالبعلموں کو پڑھاتا ہے۔
6.5 ہم بازار کو جا رہے ہیں۔
6.6 تم مجھ کو کیا کہہ رہے ہو؟
6.7 ڈاکٹر مریض کو دوا دیتا ہے۔
6.8 لڑکی اپنے دوست کو خط لکھتی ہے۔
6.9 باپ بیٹے کو نصیحت کرتا ہے۔
6.10 وہ دہلی کو کل جائیں گے۔
6.11 میری بہن مجھ کو کہانی سناتی ہے۔
6.12 دکاندار گاہک کو سامان بیچتا ہے۔
6.13 ماں بچوں کو کھانا کھلاتی ہے۔
6.14 پرندے درخت کو واپس آتے ہیں۔
6.15 میں نے اُس کو کتاب دی۔
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The Urdu postposition کو (ko) is one of the most important and frequently used postpositions in the language. Unlike English "to," which precedes its object, کو follows the noun or pronoun it modifies.
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Indirect Object Marker: When giving, telling, or showing something TO someone -
میں اُس کو کتاب دیتا ہوں (I give the book to him) -
The recipient (indirect object) takes کو -
Direction/Destination: When going TO a place -
وہ اسکول کو جاتی ہے (She goes to school) -
The destination takes کو -
Direct Object Marker: With specific, definite, or animate direct objects -
استاد طالبعلموں کو پڑھاتا ہے (The teacher teaches the students) -
Specific/animate objects often require کو
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Word Order Confusion: English speakers often place کو before the noun -
WRONG: کو اُس (ko us) -
CORRECT: اُس کو (us ko) -
Overuse with Inanimate Objects: Not all direct objects take کو -
میں کتاب پڑھتا ہوں (I read a book) - no کو needed -
میں اِس کتاب کو پڑھتا ہوں (I read this book) - کو used for specificity -
Forgetting کو with Pronouns: Pronouns as objects usually require کو -
WRONG: میں اُس دیکھتا ہوں -
CORRECT: میں اُس کو دیکھتا ہوں (I see him/her)
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Identify the object: Is it receiving something? Going somewhere? Being affected? -
Check specificity: Is it a particular person/thing or general? -
Place کو after the object: noun/pronoun + کو -
Complete the sentence: Add the verb and other elements
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English: Subject + Verb + TO + Object -
Urdu: Subject + Object + کو + Verb
Example: -
English: I give the book TO him -
Urdu: میں کتاب اُس کو دیتا ہوں (literally: I book him TO give am)
کو combines with pronouns as follows: -
مجھ کو (mujh ko) = to me -
تجھ کو (tujh ko) = to you (informal) -
آپ کو (aap ko) = to you (formal) -
اُس کو (us ko) = to him/her/it -
ہم کو (hum ko) = to us -
تم کو (tum ko) = to you (plural/familiar) -
اُن کو (un ko) = to them
Note: In spoken Urdu, these often contract (e.g., مجھ کو → مجھے mujhe)
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The use of کو (ko) reflects important aspects of South Asian culture and the Urdu-speaking world. In Urdu, the concept of giving and receiving is deeply embedded in social interactions, and کو plays a crucial role in expressing these relationships.
In Urdu culture, the way you address someone and give them something matters greatly. When using کو with people, especially elders or respected individuals, it's often combined with honorific pronouns: -
آپ کو (aap ko) for respected individuals -
تم کو (tum ko) for friends or younger people -
تو کو (tu ko) for very informal situations (rarely used)
The frequent use of کو in contexts of giving reflects the importance of gift-giving and sharing in South Asian culture. Common expressions include: -
آپ کو مبارک ہو (aap ko mubaarak ho) - "Congratulations to you" -
اللہ آپ کو خوش رکھے (Allah aap ko khush rakhe) - "May God keep you happy"
When indicating direction with کو, Urdu speakers often use it with places that have special significance: -
مسجد کو جانا (going to the mosque) -
گھر کو آنا (coming to home)
This reflects the importance of certain locations in daily life and spiritual practice.
Modern Urdu speakers, especially in informal speech, often contract pronouns + کو: -
مجھ کو → مجھے (mujhe) -
تجھ کو → تجھے (tujhe)
However, formal writing and poetry often preserve the full form for clarity and meter.
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This excerpt is from the famous Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib's ghazal "Hazaaron khwahishen aisi" (ہزاروں خواہشیں ایسی):
Original Text (52 words): ہزاروں خواہشیں ایسی کہ ہر خواہش پہ دم نکلے بہت نکلے میرے ارمان، لیکن پھر بھی کم نکلے محبت میں نہیں ہے فرق جینے اور مرنے کا اسی کو دیکھ کر جیتے ہیں جس کافر پہ دم نکلے
محبت Love (mohabbat) میں in (mein) نہیں not (nahin) ہے is (hai) فرق difference (farq) جینے living (jeene) اور and (aur) مرنے dying (marne) کا of (ka) اُسی that-same (usi) کو to (ko) دیکھ see (dekh) کر doing (kar) جیتے live (jeete) ہیں are (hain) جس whom (jis) کافر infidel (kaafir) پہ on (pe) دم breath (dam) نکلے departs (nikle)
محبت میں نہیں ہے فرق جینے اور مرنے کا اسی کو دیکھ کر جیتے ہیں جس کافر پہ دم نکلے
In love there is no difference between living and dying We live by seeing the very one, that infidel, for whom we would die
محبت میں نہیں ہے فرق جینے اور مرنے کا اسی کو دیکھ کر جیتے ہیں جس کافر پہ دم نکلے
In this couplet, Ghalib uses کو in the phrase "اُسی کو دیکھ کر" (by seeing that very one). Here کو marks the direct object of seeing - the beloved. This usage demonstrates: -
Direct Object Marking: The beloved (implied) is marked with کو because they are a specific, animate object of the verb دیکھنا (to see) -
Emphasis: The use of اُسی (that very one) + کو creates emphasis, showing the intensity of focus on the beloved -
Poetic Convention: In Urdu poetry, the beloved is often referred to as کافر (infidel) as a term of endearment, reflecting the tradition where the beloved's beauty is so overwhelming it could lead one away from faith -
Complex Structure: The sentence structure shows how کو functions in more complex poetic expressions, maintaining its grammatical role while contributing to the meter and flow of the verse
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6.16 صبح Morning (subah) سلام greeting (salaam), آپ you (aap) کو to (ko) چائے tea (chai) چاہیے need (chahiye)?
6.17 میں I (main) آپ you (aap) کو to (ko) کچھ something (kuch) بتانا to-tell (batana) چاہتا want (chahta) ہوں am (hoon)
6.18 کیا What (kya) آپ you (aap) میرے my (mere) ساتھ with (saath) دکان shop (dukaan) کو to (ko) چلیں will-go (chalen) گے will (ge)?
6.19 بچوں Children (bachchon) کو to (ko) جلدی quickly (jaldi) سونے to-sleep (sone) کو to (ko) کہو say (kaho)
6.20 دادی Grandmother (daadi) ہم us (hum) کو to (ko) کہانیاں stories (kahaaniyan) سناتی tells (sunaati) تھیں were (theen)
6.21 آج Today (aaj) شام evening (shaam) کو to (ko) ہم we (hum) سینما cinema (cinema) جائیں will-go (jaayen) گے will (ge)
6.22 ڈرائیور Driver (driver) کو to (ko) کہیے tell (kahiye) کہ that (ke) گاڑی car (gaari) لے bring (le) آئے come (aaye)
6.23 مہمان Guest (mehmaan) کو to (ko) بہترین best (behtareen) کمرہ room (kamra) دیا gave (diya) گیا was (gaya)
6.24 رات Night (raat) کو to (ko) بارش rain (baarish) ہونے happening (hone) لگی started (lagi)
6.25 اُن They (un) کو to (ko) ہماری our (hamaari) مدد help (madad) کی of (ki) ضرورت need (zaroorat) ہے is (hai)
6.26 کل Tomorrow (kal) صبح morning (subah) نو nine (nau) بجے o'clock (baje) کو to (ko) ملیں will-meet (milen) گے will (ge)
6.27 بیٹے Son (bete) کو to (ko) نیا new (naya) کپڑا cloth (kapra) خریدنا to-buy (khareedna) ہے is (hai)
6.28 پڑوسی Neighbor (parosi) کو to (ko) عید Eid (eid) کی of (ki) مبارکباد congratulations (mubarakbaad) دی gave (di)
6.29 سب All (sab) کو to (ko) انتظار wait (intezaar) کرنا to-do (karna) پڑے will-have (pare) گا will (ga)
6.30 میں I (main) نے (past) (ne) دوستوں friends (doston) کو to (ko) کھانے food (khane) پر on (par) بلایا invited (bulaya) ہے have (hai)
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6.16 صبح سلام، آپ کو چائے چاہیے؟ Good morning, would you like tea?
6.17 میں آپ کو کچھ بتانا چاہتا ہوں۔ I want to tell you something.
6.18 کیا آپ میرے ساتھ دکان کو چلیں گے؟ Will you go to the shop with me?
6.19 بچوں کو جلدی سونے کو کہو۔ Tell the children to go to sleep quickly.
6.20 دادی ہم کو کہانیاں سناتی تھیں۔ Grandmother used to tell us stories.
6.21 آج شام کو ہم سینما جائیں گے۔ We will go to the cinema this evening.
6.22 ڈرائیور کو کہیے کہ گاڑی لے آئے۔ Tell the driver to bring the car.
6.23 مہمان کو بہترین کمرہ دیا گیا۔ The guest was given the best room.
6.24 رات کو بارش ہونے لگی۔ It started raining at night.
6.25 اُن کو ہماری مدد کی ضرورت ہے۔ They need our help.
6.26 کل صبح نو بجے کو ملیں گے۔ We'll meet tomorrow morning at nine o'clock.
6.27 بیٹے کو نیا کپڑا خریدنا ہے۔ We need to buy new clothes for our son.
6.28 پڑوسی کو عید کی مبارکباد دی۔ We congratulated the neighbor on Eid.
6.29 سب کو انتظار کرنا پڑے گا۔ Everyone will have to wait.
6.30 میں نے دوستوں کو کھانے پر بلایا ہے۔ I have invited friends for dinner.
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6.16 صبح سلام، آپ کو چائے چاہیے؟
6.17 میں آپ کو کچھ بتانا چاہتا ہوں۔
6.18 کیا آپ میرے ساتھ دکان کو چلیں گے؟
6.19 بچوں کو جلدی سونے کو کہو۔
6.20 دادی ہم کو کہانیاں سناتی تھیں۔
6.21 آج شام کو ہم سینما جائیں گے۔
6.22 ڈرائیور کو کہیے کہ گاڑی لے آئے۔
6.23 مہمان کو بہترین کمرہ دیا گیا۔
6.24 رات کو بارش ہونے لگی۔
6.25 اُن کو ہماری مدد کی ضرورت ہے۔
6.26 کل صبح نو بجے کو ملیں گے۔
6.27 بیٹے کو نیا کپڑا خریدنا ہے۔
6.28 پڑوسی کو عید کی مبارکباد دی۔
6.29 سب کو انتظار کرنا پڑے گا۔
6.30 میں نے دوستوں کو کھانے پر بلایا ہے۔
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Time Expressions: کو is used with specific times -
شام کو (in the evening) -
رات کو (at night) -
نو بجے کو (at nine o'clock) -
Double کو Construction: Sometimes کو appears twice in one sentence -
بچوں کو سونے کو کہو (Tell the children to sleep) -
First کو marks indirect object (children) -
Second کو indicates purpose/infinitive -
With چاہیے (chahiye - need/should) -
آپ کو چائے چاہیے؟ (Do you need tea?) -
Subject takes کو when used with چاہیے -
Idiomatic Expressions -
کھانے پر بلانا (to invite for a meal) - note پر not کو -
مدد کی ضرورت (need for help) - possessive construction -
Conversational Contractions -
In spoken Urdu: مجھ کو → مجھے -
Written forms often preserve full form -
Both are acceptable in conversation
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Requests and Commands -
X کو کہیے کہ... (Tell X that...) -
X کو Y کو دو (Give Y to X) -
Time-bound Activities -
صبح/شام/رات کو (in the morning/evening/night) -
Specific time + بجے کو (at X o'clock) -
Need/Requirement Expressions -
X کو Y کی ضرورت ہے (X needs Y) -
X کو Y چاہیے (X needs/wants Y)
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