The phrase نظر کیا is built from two components. نظر (nazar) is a noun meaning sight or look. The word has a rich set of meanings in Urdu, including "evil eye" (نظر بد), "attention" (نظر رکھنا), "in sight" (نظر میں), and "to be seen" (نظر آنا). کیا (kiya) is the past tense of کرنا (to do). The combination نظر کرنا means to look, to cast a glance, to pay attention, or to cast the evil eye. The past tense نظر کیا is used when the act of looking is completed.
The phrase is often used with a prepositional phrase indicating the target of the look. "اس نے مجھ پر نظر کیا" means he cast a glance at me (literally, he did a look on me). "اس نے اس طرف نظر کیا" means he looked in that direction. The phrase can also be used without an object, implying a general act of looking.
The phrase is distinct from "دیکھا" (dekha). دیکھا is the simple past of دیکھنا (to see). It is neutral. نظر کیا is more deliberate. It implies that the look was intentional, perhaps significant, perhaps with a purpose. It is also used for the evil eye. "اس نے بچے پر نظر کی" could mean "he looked at the child" or "he cast the evil eye on the child". Context determines the meaning.
In religious contexts, "اللہ کی طرف نظر کرنا" means to look toward God, i.e., to turn one's attention to God in prayer or meditation. The phrase is used in Sufi literature.
In everyday speech, "نظر کیا" is less common than "دیکھا". It is more literary, more formal, or more emphatic. A person might say "میں نے اسے دیکھا" (I saw him). They would rarely say "میں نے اس پر نظر کیا" (I cast a glance at him) in casual conversation. The latter sounds more deliberate, almost poetic.
Correct Spelling & Pronunciation:
نَظَر کِیا
ن پر زبر ( َ ) ہے (نَ)۔
ظ پر زبر ( َ ) ہے (ظَ)۔
ر ساکن ہے۔
ک پر زیر ( ِ ) ہے (کِ)۔
ی یائے معروف ہے، زیر والی، لمبی آواز۔
ا الف مدہ ہے۔
تلفظ: Na-zar Ki-yaa. The phrase breaks into two parts. "Nazar" has two syllables: Na-zar. The first syllable "Na" is short. The second syllable "zar" rhymes with "hut". The stress is on the first syllable. "Kiya" has two syllables: Ki-yaa. The first syllable "Ki" is short. The second syllable "yaa" is long. The stress is on the second syllable. The whole phrase is spoken with a deliberate, careful tone. The 'ظ' is an emphatic 'z' sound, made with the tongue pressed against the upper palate. This sound does not exist in English and requires practice. The 'ر' is trilled. The 'ک' is hard. The 'ی' is long.
Now begin the main body of the entry.
The phrase نظر کیا is a phrase of intention. Unlike دیکھنا (to see), which can be passive (the eyes receive light, the brain processes an image), نظر کرنا is active. The agent directs their gaze. They choose to look. They focus. The phrase implies agency.
In the context of social interaction, نظر کیا can be loaded. A man looking at a woman is not just seeing her. He is casting a glance. The glance may be respectful, admiring, or improper. The phrase carries the weight of social norms. "اس نے اسے نظر کیا" can be an accusation of inappropriate staring. The word is used in discussions of modesty and harassment.
In the context of the evil eye, نظر کیا is a serious phrase. The evil eye, نظر بد, is a belief in many cultures. A person with the evil eye can cause harm, illness, or bad luck just by looking. "اس نے بچے پر نظر کی" means he cast the evil eye on the child. The family may take protective measures, such as reciting prayers or burning incense. The phrase is a word of fear.
In the context of love, نظر کیا is romantic. The lover casts a glance at the beloved. That glance is the beginning of the story. The poet writes "جب اس نے مجھ پر نظر کی تو دل بیٹھ گیا" (when he cast a glance at me, my heart stopped). The phrase is a moment of magic.
In the context of attention, نظر کیا is a call to awareness. "ذرا یہاں نظر کیجیے" (please look here) is a polite request. The speaker wants the listener's attention. The phrase is used in presentations, in teaching, in customer service.
Synonyms (Urdu): دیکھا (dekha), نگاہ کی (nigah ki), جھانکا (jhaanka), غور کیا (ghaur kiya), ملاحظہ کیا (mulahiza kiya), مراقبہ کیا (muraqaba kiya)
Synonyms (English): looked, saw, glanced, observed, watched, gazed, stared, viewed
Antonyms (Urdu): اندھا رہا (andha raha), آنکھیں بند کیں (ankhein band keen), دھیان نہیں دیا (dhyan nahi diya), نظر انداز کیا (nazar andaaz kiya, ignored)
Antonyms (English): ignored, looked away, closed the eyes, was blind, disregarded, overlooked
Etymology: نظر comes from the Arabic root "ن ظ ر" (noon za ra). The verb "نظر" (nazara) means to look, to see, to consider. The noun "نظر" (nazar) means look, sight, or attention. The word entered Urdu through Arabic, as many sensory and cognitive terms did, during the Islamic period. کیا is from the Sanskrit root "कृ" (kri, to do), through Prakrit. The phrase is a hybrid, blending Arabic and Indic elements. This mix is typical for Urdu. The Arabic word provides the content (the look). The Indic verb provides the action (the doing).
Metaphorical Use: نظر کیا is used metaphorically for consideration or evaluation. "اس نے اس مسئلے پر نظر کیا" means he looked at the issue, i.e., he considered it, he analyzed it. The metaphor transfers physical sight to intellectual attention. This is a common extension in many languages.
In a legal context, "عدالت نے درخواست پر نظر کیا" means the court considered the application. The phrase is used in judgments. It is formal and precise.
In a spiritual context, "اللہ کی طرف نظر کرنا" means to look toward God, i.e., to turn one's attention to God, to meditate, to pray. The phrase is used in Sufi poetry and instruction. The look is not physical. It is spiritual.
In a social context, "نظر کرنا" can mean to give attention, to care for. "اس نے یتیم بچے پر نظر کی" means he looked after the orphan child. The phrase is used in humanitarian contexts.
Cultural Significance: The cultural significance of نظر کیا in Urdu speaking societies is tied to the concept of the evil eye. The belief in نظر بد is widespread. A person, especially a child, may be protected by a "تعویز" (amulet) or by reciting specific verses from the Quran. The phrase "نظر کیا" can be an accusation. It can also be a warning. "نظر نہ لگا دو" means do not cast the evil eye. The phrase is used when someone compliments a beautiful thing, such as a child, a house, or a car. The compliment itself may attract the evil eye. The speaker may add "ماشاء اللہ" (God has willed it) to ward off the evil eye. The phrase نظر کیا is central to this folk belief.
In the context of poetry, the glance of the beloved is a classic theme. The beloved's glance is cruel, kind, indifferent, or knowing. The poet writes about the moment when the beloved "نظر کرتی ہے" (casts a glance). That glance is the subject of the poem. It is the moment that changes everything.
In the context of social etiquette, casting a glance at someone can be rude or respectful depending on the duration, the direction, and the relation. The phrase نظر کیا is used to describe the act. A parent may tell a child "غیروں پر نظر مت کرو" (do not look at strangers). The phrase is a lesson in manners.
In the context of Islamic practice, looking at the ground while praying is a sign of humility. Looking at the sky is discouraged. The phrase "نظر کرنا" is used in religious instructions.
Social and Emotional Impact: To be the object of نظر کیا (a glance) can be pleasant or unpleasant. A glance from a lover is thrilling. A glance from a rival is threatening. A glance from a stranger can be neutral or creepy. The emotional impact depends on the relationship and the intent.
To cast a glance (نظر کرنا) is to assert agency. The person chooses to look. They are not passive. The emotional impact is a sense of control, of attention, of engagement.
To be warned about the evil eye (نظر نہ لگے) is to feel a mix of fear and protection. The fear is that someone might look with envy. The protection is that the family is aware and is taking precautions. The phrase is a bond.
Word Associations: آنکھ, دیکھنا, نگاہ, جھانکنا, نظر بد, نظر لگنا, حسد, آگاہی, توجہ, غور, فکر, سوچ, محبت, عشق, رومان, شاعری, کرشمہ, جادو, اثر
Expanded Features:
Polarity: Neutral to negative (evil eye). The phrase itself is neutral. The polarity comes from the context and the intention. A glance can be loving, neutral, or harmful.
Register: Formal to neutral. نظر کیا is more formal than دیکھا. It appears in literature, in formal speech, and in expressions about the evil eye. In casual conversation, دیکھا is preferred.
Pragmatic Sense: The typical purpose of using نظر کیا is to describe a deliberate act of looking, casting a glance, or paying attention. The speaker is emphasizing the intentionality of the look.
Formality: Medium. The phrase is not highly formal. It is used in everyday speech, but less commonly than دیکھا. It is appropriate in literary and formal contexts.
Usage Contexts: نظر کیا is used in everyday speech to describe a deliberate look. It is used in literature and poetry for romantic or significant glances. It is used in discussions of the evil eye. It is used in spiritual contexts for turning attention to God. It is used in formal contexts for considering a matter. The phrase is not used in scientific writing, in legal contexts (except as testimony), in business contexts (except in metaphorical consideration), or in contexts where looking is not intentional.
Evolution in Use: The phrase نظر کیا has been stable for centuries. Its frequency may have declined in modern, fast paced speech, where simpler verbs like دیکھا are preferred. However, the phrase persists in literature, in religious discourse, and in discussions of the evil eye. In the future, as digital attention becomes more important, the phrase may be used metaphorically for "liking" or "viewing" content. "اس نے میری پوسٹ پر نظر کی" could mean he looked at my post. The phrase will adapt.
Example Sentences (Literal):
اس نے اچانک میری طرف نظر کیا۔
He suddenly cast a glance towards me.
استاد نے طالب علم پر غصے سے نظر کیا۔
The teacher looked at the student with anger.
جب اس نے اس پر نظر کیا تو وہ شرم سے سر جھکا بیٹھی۔
When he cast a glance at her, she bowed her head in shame.
Example Sentences (Evil Eye):
بچے پر کسی کی نظر لگ گئی، وہ بیمار ہو گیا۔
Someone cast an evil eye on the child, he became sick.
تم بہت تعریف کر رہے ہو، کہیں نظر نہ لگ جائے۔
You are praising too much, lest the evil eye be cast.
اس نے نئی گاڑی پر نظر کی اور گاڑی خراب ہو گئی۔
He cast a glance at the new car and the car broke down.
Example Sentences (Metaphorical/Spiritual):
اس نے اس مشکل مسئلے پر گہری نظر کی۔
He looked deeply at this difficult problem.
اللہ کی طرف نظر کرو، ہر مشکل حل ہو جائے گی۔
Look toward God, every difficulty will be solved.
Poetic and Literary Touch: The word نظر (nazar) is a cornerstone of Urdu poetry. The beloved's نظر (glance) is a recurring image. The poet writes "اس کی نظر میں کیا تھا" (what was in his glance). The glance is a weapon, a gift, a mystery. The phrase نظر کیا (cast a glance) appears in contexts where the beloved looks at the lover. That look is the moment of union or separation.
In the poetry of Mirza Ghalib, the beloved's glance is often cruel. The beloved نظر کرتا ہے (casts a glance) but the glance is indifferent. The lover suffers. The word نظر in Ghalib's poetry is a word of longing.
In the poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, the glance of the beloved is a symbol of hope. The beloved نظر کرتا ہے (casts a glance) at the oppressed. The glance is a promise of revolution.
In the prose of Manto, the evil eye is a theme. A character نظر کرتا ہے (casts an evil eye). The victim falls ill. The story explores superstition and psychology.
In the context of the Quran, the word نظر appears in the story of Moses. Moses looks at his hand and sees it shining white. The word is used for a miraculous sign.
Summary: The phrase نظر کیا means looked, saw, glanced, cast a glance. It is pronounced Na-zar Ki-yaa. The phrase combines the Arabic derived نظر (look) and the Indic derived کیا (did). The polarity is neutral to negative (evil eye), the register is formal to neutral, and the formality is medium. نظر کیا is used for deliberate acts of looking, for the evil eye, for romantic glances, and for metaphorical consideration. Understanding نظر کیا is essential for reading Urdu poetry, for discussing the evil eye, and for expressing intentional looking.
Cross Language Comparison: In English, "looked" is the direct equivalent. "Cast a glance" is a more literary equivalent. In Punjabi Pakistani, "نظر کیتا" (nazar kita) is used. In Pashto, "نظر وکړ" (nazar wakar) is used. In Hindi, "नज़र किया" (nazar kiya) is identical. In Persian, "نظر کرد" (nazar kard) is used. In Arabic, "نظر" (nazara) is the simple past. The similarity between Urdu and Hindi is again complete. The phrase is a bond. It is the act of looking. It is the glance that starts a love story, the glance that brings misfortune, the glance that shows attention. That is نظر کیا.