Qissa is an iPhone app for speaking Urdu. You say everyday lines out loud, then hear your recording next to the app's. Made for people who understand Urdu but find it hard to reply.
Before launch
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Why this exists
Many of us grew up hearing Urdu at home and answering in English. Now we understand most of what family says, but we can't reply. Most language apps start from zero, with picture cards and words like cat and milk. That does not help on a phone call.
Qissa teaches the Urdu you need on a family call. You say each line out loud, play your recording next to the app's, and decide if it sounds right. You don't need a perfect accent.
بولو
Bol
Say a line out loud, then hear your recording next to the app's.
سنو
Suno
Hear Urdu at normal speed, the way your family talks.
قصہ
Qissa
Short stories about where words come from, so they're easier to remember.
پڑھو
Parho
Learn the Urdu script if you want to. Every lesson also works in English letters.
Speak first
Say the line, then play your recording right after the app's. Listen, compare, and try again as often as you like. You can also turn on the words check, which tells you which words it heard. If it misses a word you know you said, one tap marks it correct.
Story & history
Urdu has one word for your mother's mother (nani) and another for your father's mother (dadi). Qissa explains words like these with short stories, so you remember them.
Daily practice
Each day you get one new word and a short practice session built around it. A calendar called your silsila (Urdu for chain) keeps count of the words you've learned. If you miss a day, the app won't nag you.
No. Every core lesson works in English letters, the way you would type Urdu in a text message. You can learn the Urdu script as well, whenever you like, but you never have to.
Yes, this is who Qissa is made for. It skips the beginner picture cards. From the first session you practice, out loud, the things you would say on a call with family.
You do. You play your recording next to the app's and compare them. You can also turn on the words check, which tells you which words it heard. If it misses a word you know you said, one tap marks it correct and the attempt counts.
The microphone is only on while you hold the record button. Your recording stays on your phone so you can play it back. If you turn on the words check, each recording goes to our server, which checks which words it heard and then deletes it. We keep no audio. The words check is off until you turn it on. The privacy policy has the full detail.
Urdu. Qissa teaches everyday spoken Urdu, the way families in Pakistan and across the diaspora speak it. Spoken Urdu and Hindi share a lot, so if you grew up around either one, plenty will sound familiar. Where the two differ, Qissa teaches the Urdu word. The Urdu script is there too, if you want it.
There is a free trial to start. You will see the plans and prices in the app before you pay anything. Billing goes through Apple, and you can cancel in your iPhone settings.
Get Qissa
Practice the Urdu you need to talk with your family. Start with a free trial and say your first line out loud today.
Contact
Questions, ideas, or something broke? We read every message.
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