ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Persian and Urdu

Persian and Urdu are two languages that are spoken in different parts of the world. Persian is spoken in countries like Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, while Urdu is spoken mainly in India and Pakistan.

Now, let's talk about how these two languages are similar and different. Both languages use the Persian script, which means that they look similar when written down. However, Persian has more similarities with Arabic than Urdu does. This is because Persian has borrowed many words and expressions from Arabic over the centuries.

Urdu, on the other hand, has more similarities with Hindi. This is because Urdu and Hindi were once the same language, but they developed differently over time due to political and social reasons. Even today, there are many words in Urdu that come from Hindi.

In terms of grammar, Persian and Urdu are both Indo-European languages, which means that they have similar sentence structures and basic grammar rules. However, there are some differences in the way these languages use verb tenses and pronouns.

Finally, let's talk about how these two languages have influenced each other. When Muslim rulers came to India in the 12th century, they brought with them the Persian language and culture. This had a significant impact on the development of Urdu, which borrowed many words and expressions from Persian. In turn, Urdu has also influenced the way Persian is spoken in some parts of Pakistan and India.

So, to summarize, Persian and Urdu are two languages that are similar in some ways but have important differences. They both use the Persian script, but Persian has more similarities with Arabic, while Urdu has more similarities with Hindi. Both languages have also influenced each other over time due to historical and cultural factors.