Planning a trip to Punjab or getting married to a native Punjabi speaker? Need a quick vocabulary lesson? Then let’s learn some household items vocabulary in Punjabi in this post!
It is said that the easiest way to learn any language is to start retaining the names of objects around you. An easy and useful trick that I deploy is to put stickers on every object and surface in my house, named in the new language that I am learning. Easy peasy! Just make sure you use a permanent marker to write the names. Nah, just kidding!
Traditional House Structures In Punjab
A house is called ਘਰ (Ghar) in the Punjabi language and household objects are called ਘਰੇਲੂ ਚੀਜ਼ਾਂ (pl. Gharēlu chīzān). Similarly, kitchen utensils are called ਰਸੋਈ ਦੇ ਬਰਤਨ (Rasō’ī Dē Baratana). Usually, traditional Punjabi houses are sprawling mansions with huge courtyards (Vihārē – ਵਿਹੜੇ) where the whole family spends most of their day sharing meals and gossip.
They have huge iron and wooden gates (Kapāt – ਕਪਾਟ) at the entrance that open into a courtyard which further leads to a verandah (Dalāna – ਦਲਾਨ) running along which is a row of rooms (pl. Kamarē – ਕਮਰੇ). One end could have a lineup with a kitchen (Rasoī – ਰਸੋਈ or Chaunkā – ਚੌਂਕਾ), a pantry (Paentarī – ਪੰਤਰੀ) or a small granary (Gudāma – ਗੁਦਾਮ), and a common bathroom (Isnānghar – ਇਸ਼ਨਾਨ ਘਰ).
Houses belonging to well-to-do farming families often have cattle sheds (Gaushālā – ਗਊਸ਼ਾਲਾ ) situated either within the house premise, or adjacent to it, or they are stand-alone structures somewhere along the fields. These grand houses might also have more than one terrace (Chhat – ਛੱਤ).
Household Items Vocabulary In Punjabi
The easiest way to start learning the vocabulary for household objects in the Punjabi language is by categorizing it utility-wise. So, let’s take a walk into a Punjabi household and start marking the items we find, one room at a time.
Living Room Items
| Item in English | Item in Roman Script | Item in Punjabi Script |
| Sofa/ couch | Sōphā | ਸੋਫਾ |
| Table | Ṭēbala | ਟੇਬਲ |
| Chair | Kurasī | ਕੁਰਸੀ |
| Side Table | Sā’īḍa Ṭēbala | ਸਾਈਡ ਟੇਬਲ |
| Carpet | Kārapēṭa | ਕਾਰਪੇਟ |
| Rug | Galīchā | ਗਲੀਚਾ |
| Vase | Phuladāna | ਫੁੱਲਦਾਨ |
| Telephone | Tailīfōna | ਟੈਲੀਫ਼ੋਨ |
| Bookcase | Kitābāṁ Dī Alamārī | ਕਿਤਾਬਾਂ ਦੀ ਅਲਮਾਰੀ |
| Lamp | Dīvā | ਦੀਵਾ |
| Television | Tailīvizana | ਟੈਲੀਵਿਜ਼ਨ |
| Airconditioner | Ē. Sī | ੲੇ. ਸੀ |
| Tubelight | Ti’ūbalā’īṭa | ਟਿਊਬਲਾਈਟ |
Bedroom Items
| Item in English | Item in Roman Script | Item in Punjabi Script |
| Bed | Bisatarā | ਬਿਸਤਰਾ |
| Mattress | Gadā | ਗੱਦਾ |
| Bedsheet | Chādara | ਚਾਦਰ |
| Blanket | Kabala | ਕੰਬਲ |
| Quilt | Raja’i | ਰਜਾਈ |
| Pillow | Sirahāṇā | ਸਿਰਹਾਣਾ |
| Mirror | Śīśā | ਸ਼ੀਸ਼ਾ |
| Almirah/ Cupboard | Alamārī | ਅਲਮਾਰੀ |
| Window | Khiṛakī | ਖਿੜਕੀ |
| Wall clock | Kadha Ghaṛī | ਕੰਧ ਘੜੀ |
| Wrist watch | Guṭa Ghaṛī | ਗੁੱਟ ਘੜੀ |
| Clothes | Kapaṛē | ਕੱਪੜੇ |
| Shoes | Jutī’āṁ | ਜੁੱਤੀਆਂ |
| Comb | Kaghā | ਕੰਘਾ |
| Turban | Dasatāra | ਦਸਤਾਰ |
| Scarf | Dupaṭā | ਦੁਪੱਟਾ |
| Socks | Jurābāṁ | ਜੁਰਾਬਾਂ |
| Shirt | Kamīza | ਕਮੀਜ਼ |
| Trouser | Paiṇṭa | ਪੈਂਟ |
| Perfume | Atara | ਅਤਰ |
| Make up | Śarragāra | ਸ਼ਰ੍ਰੰਗਾਰ |
| Jewelry | Gahinē | ਗਹਿਣੇ |
Kitchen Items
| Item in English | Item in Roman Script | Item in Punjabi Script |
| Bottle | Botala | ਬੋਤਲ |
| Box | Ḍabā | ਡੱਬਾ |
| Basket | Ṭōkarī | ਟੋਕਰੀ |
| Cauldron | Kaṛāhī | ਕੜਾਹੀ |
| Saucepan | Paṭi’lā | ਪਤੀਲਾ |
| Pot | Ghaṛā | ਘੜਾ |
| Glass | Galāsa | ਗਲਾਸ |
| Kettle | Kītali | ਕੀਤਲੀ |
| Utensils | Baratana | ਬਰਤਨ |
| Grain | Anāja | ਅਨਾਜ |
| Jar | Sisi | ਸ਼ੀਸ਼ੀ |
| Knife | Chākū | ਚਾਕੂ |
| Ladle | Chamachā | ਚਮਚਾ |
| Spoon | Chammacha | ਚੱਮਚ |
| Fork | Kāṇṭā | ਕਾਂਟਾ |
| Butter knife | Churī | ਛੁਰੀ |
| Mug/ cup | Payālā/ Payāli | ਪਯਾਲਾ/ ਪਯਾਲਿ |
| Gas stove | Gaisa Dā Chūl’hā | ਗੈਸ ਦਾ ਚੂਲ੍ਹਾ |
| Refrigerator | Pharija | ਫਰਿੱਜ |
| Dining Table | Khāṇē Dī Mēja | ਖਾਣੇ ਦੀ ਮੇਜ |
| Table cloth | Mēzapōśa | ਮੇਜ਼ਪੋਸ਼ |
Bathroom Items
| Item in English | Item in Roman Script | Item in Punjabi Script |
| Broom | Jhāṛū | ਝਾੜੂ |
| Bucket | Bālaṭī | ਬਾਲਟੀ |
| Brush | Buraśa | ਬੁਰਸ਼ |
| Tap | Pāṇī Dī ṭūṭī | ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਟੂਟੀ |
| Washbasin | Vāśabēsina | ਵਾਸ਼ਬੇਸਿਨ |
| Towel | Taulī’ā | ਤੌਲੀਆ |
| Foam | Jhaga | ਝੱਗ |
| Toilet | Tā’ilaṭa | ਟਾਇਲਟ |
Miscellaneous Items
| Item in English | Item in Roman Script | Item in Punjabi Script |
| Yarn | Suta | ਸੂਤ |
| Screw Driver | Pechakasa | ਪੇਚਕੱਸ |
| Magnet | Chumbaka | ਚੁੰਬਕ |
| Mop | Pūjha | ਪੂੰਝ |
| Medicines | Dava’i’am | ਦਵਾਈਆਂ |
| Lock | Tālā | ਤਾਲਾ |
| Key | Kuji | ਕੁੰਜੀ |
| Kite | Pataga | ਪਤੰਗ |
| Pen | Kalama | ਕਲਮ |
| Hammer | Hathaura | ਹਥੌੜਾ |
| Umbrella | Chatari | ਛੱਤਰੀ |
| Uniform | Varadi | ਵਰਦੀ |
| Needle | Suhā | ਸੁਹਾ |
Punjabi Songs Based On Household Items
From kitchen utensils to household items, Punjabi folk songs have long been using these objects in the lyrics to tell umpteen stories of Punjabi households and their inhabitants. Let’s look at some of the popular Punjabi folk songs and the items mentioned in them.
Sūhē vē chīrē vāli’āṁ maiṁ kahiṇī āṁ kara chatrī dī chāṁ maiṁ chānvāṁ bahiṇī āṁ (ਸੂਹੇ ਵੇ ਚੀਰੇ ਵਾਲਿਆਂ ਮੈਂ ਕਹਿਣੀ ਆਂ ਕਰ ਛਤ੍ਰੀ ਦੀ ਛਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਛਾਂਵਾਂ ਬਹਿਣੀ ਆਂ)
Translation: I said to him, who pricks a hole with a needle (ਸੁਹਾ), open the umbrella (ਛਤ੍ਰੀ) as I want to sit under its shade. A bride-to-be is singing this song and praying to never be separated from her would-be husband.
Lathē dī chādara utē salēṭī raga māhī’ā (ਲੱਥੇ ਦੀ ਚਾਦਰ ਉੱਤੇ ਸਲੇਟੀ ਰੰਗ ਮਾਹੀਆ )
Translation: My beloved who drapes a grey sheet (ਚਾਦਰ) cut from the full length of cloth, come hither. The woman is pleading with her sheet-draped lover to not be angry with her anymore.
Kōṭhē tē ā māhī’ā milaṇā tāṁ mila ākē nahīṁ tā ḵẖasamāṁ nū khā māhī’ā (ਕੋਠੇ ਤੇ ਆ ਮਾਹੀਆ ਮਿਲਣਾ ਤਾਂ ਮਿਲ ਆਕੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਤਾ ਖ਼ਸਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖਾ ਮਾਹੀਆ)
Translation: Come to the terrace (ਕੋਠਾ), my dear, come and meet me or you can go to hell! The two lovers are having a light-hearted go at each other, pulling each other’s legs.
Learn Punjabi With Ling
Punjabi is a fun language to learn, not only for a linguaphile but also for people who love to learn about new countries and their cultures. Punjab is a land brimming with culture. From folk and food to language and rituals, it is a melee of fun-loving people and age-old traditions.
Punjabi belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and boasts a lot of character. With the Ling app, you can take your first step toward learning the Punjabi language. Simply go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download the Ling app for free.
