Alhamdulillah: praise be to God (Allah)
asr salat: the afternoon prayer (one of the compulsory Islamic daily prayers)
As-salaamu alaikum: peace be upon you (a Muslim greeting)
baitay: “child” in Urdu
behen (Savita Behen): “sister” in Urdu
beta: “son” in Urdu
beti: “daughter” in Urdu
chips: French fries
chippy: a shop that sells chips/French fries
daadi: grandma on father’s side (Dad’s mother)
dada: granddad on father’s side (Dad’s father)
dastaar: the turban worn by amritdhari/keshdhari Sikhs (those who have taken amrit, a commitment to be faithful, and maintain uncut hair). It is normally worn by men, but women can wear it too. Some women wear the smaller version called kesgi. Through the practice of wearing a freshly-tied dastaar every day, Sikhs keep themselves reminded of their solemn duty of standing up for equality, justice, self-respect, and selfless service toward all of mankind.
diamante: glass that is cut to look like diamonds
haldi doodh: turmeric milk
high school: in the UK students join high school aged eleven and leave at sixteen. It is the equivalent of starting junior high school in the US.
hijab: commonly used to describe a head covering or scarf worn by some Muslim women, especially in the English-speaking world and South Asian countries. It is an Arabic word that means barrier or partition. In Islam, hijab is a moral code that includes speech, behavior, and attitude, in addition to clothes for men and women.
holiday: vacation
ice lolly/lollies: popsicles
in shaa Allah: God willing (hopefully)
kurta: a loose collarless shirt, usually worn by South Asian people
kippah: or yarmulke, the traditional small head covering worn by Jewish men
lehenga: an ankle-length skirt, usually embroidered
marking: grading
ma shaa Allah: as God willed
mehndi: temporary henna tattoos usually drawn on hands or legs
naana: granddad on mother’s side (Mum’s father)
naani: grandma on mother’s side (Mum’s mother)
nappy: diaper
Nafl shukar: an optional prayer to give thanks
pastoral head: a senior position in a school to ensure the physical and emotional welfare of pupils
register: attendance record at school taken in the mornings and afternoons when students are in their form (home) rooms
revising: studying for a test/exam
salwar kameez: a long tunic worn over loose pleated trousers which taper around the ankles, usually worn by South Asian women
sari: a long garment wrapped and draped around the body, usually worn by South Asian women
topi: the traditional hat/skullcap Muslim men wear
trainers: sneakers
Walaikum as-salaam: peace be upon you too (in response to the Muslim greeting: “As-salaamu alaikum”)
zuhr: the noon prayer (one of the compulsory Islamic daily prayers)