How To Speak Punjabi: 9 Easy Steps To Be Conversant With Your Friends & Family

Looking to explore your Punjabi roots by going deeper into language learning? Want to be more rooted in the vibrant Punjabi culture and roaring to learn everything about it? Don’t know how to speak Punjabi as well as your parents or extended family? Well, don’t worry! Start by identifying the Punjabi alphabet, then move towards basic sentence structure and vocabulary, and within no time, you’ll be on your way to speaking Punjabi like a native.

Here is a complete guide on how you can learn this fun language in a fun manner! In this blog post, I’ll list down steps to take in order to maximize your proficiency of the Punjabi language. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

How To Speak Punjabi: A Step By Step Guide To Explore Your Roots

Mastering the art of speaking Punjabi is an exciting and fulfilling journey that can be accomplished with the right resources and techniques. The guide we have outlined provides a comprehensive roadmap for you to follow as you learn to speak Punjabi, from understanding the basics of pronunciation and grammar to immersing yourself in the culture and practicing with native speakers.

As you embark on this journey, it is essential to remember that practice makes perfect. The more you engage with the language, the faster you progress and the easier it will become to speak confidently. Utilizing language learning apps, joining speaking clubs and language exchange programs, and even hiring a private tutor can help accelerate your learning and provide the support and guidance you need to succeed.

So, embrace the challenge, and revel in the rich history and culture of the Punjabi language. With dedication, perseverance, and a positive attitude, you can achieve fluency in no time and join millions worldwide who proudly speak Punjabi.

Step 1: Master the Punjabi Alphabet and Vowel Sounds

The Punjabi alphabet is simple, but accurate pronunciation is crucial. Familiarize yourself with the sounds of the vowels and consonants, and focus on the pronunciation of each word you learn. By starting with this step, you can create a strong foundation as you go along the more intricate parts of mastering this language.

Ling app is a great tool that can help you learn the Punjabi alphabet in a fun and enjoyable manner. All because of it’s best feature! You can actually learn to write the Punjabi alphabet by the finger tracing method on the app!

Step 2: Focus On Basic Punjabi Grammar and Sentence Structure

Punjabi grammar is uncomplicated, making it easy to learn. Start with the basics of sentence structure and Punjabi verb conjugations, building simple sentences and gradually increasing complexity. While we want to rely on the essential words in Punjabi, you must learn how to string them together to have more meaningful interactions.

Step 3: Memorize Essential Phrases and Expressions

Memorize common Punjabi words and phrases, even expressions for daily conversation. This will give you a solid foundation for speaking and understanding the language. In addition, the more you practice and add these to your everyday conversations, the easier it will be to let these flow naturally when discussing with a native speaker.

Step 4: Listen to Music and Watch Movies in Punjabi

Punjabi music and movies are excellent ways to immerse yourself in the culture and learn new words and phrases. Listen to Punjabi music and sing along, or watch Punjabi movies on Netflix with subtitles to better understand the language.

Step 5: Connect with the Punjabi Community

Interact with the Punjabi community and seek opportunities to practice speaking the language with native speakers. This approach will help you gain confidence and improve your skills quickly. You do not have to travel far from home to connect with a community! You can visit Reddit or join social media groups to interact with Punjabi speakers.

Step 6: Read Punjabi Literature, Newspapers, and Websites

Reading Punjabi books, newspapers, and websites is a great way to expand your vocabulary and improve your comprehension skills. Start with simple material and gradually progress to more challenging texts.

Step 7: Leverage Language Learning Apps and Websites

Many language learning apps and websites can help you improve your skills. Some are specifically designed for learning Punjabi and can be a valuable supplement to your studies.

Step 8: Join Language Exchange Programs and Speaking Clubs

Think you’ve got the basics nailed down? Now it’s time to put everything into practice! Our advice? Join a language exchange program or speaking club to practice speaking with other learners and native speakers. This is an excellent opportunity to receive feedback and support as you learn.

Step 9: You May Try Private Tutoring for Personalized Instruction

Still need some guidance? Hiring a private tutor can be a great way to receive individualized attention and guidance. You can work at your own pace, focusing on areas you need to improve and receiving personalized advice and strategies to overcome obstacles.

Useful Punjabi Words To Get Started!

English	Punjabi	Pronunciation
At	ਤੇ	Te
Attain	ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰੋ	Praapata Karo
Baby	ਬੱਚਾ	Bachaa
Back	ਵਾਪਸ	Vāpasa
Current	ਵਰਤਮਾਨ	Varatamaana
Cut	ਕੱਟੋ	Kato
Death	ਮੌਤ	Maut
Decide	ਫੈਸਲਾ ਕਰੋ	Phaisalaa Karo
Except	ਸਿਵਾਏ	Sivaae
Expect	ਉਮੀਦ ਕਰੋ	Umeed Karo
Fact	ਤੱਥ	Tatha
Fake	ਫਰਜ਼ੀ	Pharazi
Group	ਸਮੂਹ	Samooh
Growth	ਵਾਧਾ	Vadha
Happy	ਖੁਸ਼	Khush
Harsh	ਕਠੋਰ	Kathor
Interest	ਦਿਲਚਸਪੀ	Dilachasapi
Island	ਟਾਪੂ	Taapoo
Kick	ਕਿੱਕ	Kika
Language	ਭਾਸ਼ਾ	Bhasha
Noon	ਦੁਪਹਿਰ	Dupahira
North	ਉੱਤਰ	Utara
Office	ਦਫ਼ਤਰ	Dafatara
Old	ਪੁਰਾਣਾ	Puraana
Oxygen	ਆਕਸੀਜਨ	Aakasijana
Paint	ਪੇਂਟ	Paint
Paragraph	ਪੈਰਾ	Pairaa
Reflection	ਪ੍ਰਤੀਬਿੰਬ	Pratibiba
Regain	ਮੁੜ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕਰੋ	Muṛa Prāpata Karō
Rose	ਗੁਲਾਬ	Gulaab
Row	ਕਤਾਰ	Kataar
Rule	ਨਿਯਮ	Niyam
Safe	ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ	Surakhi’at
Treat	ਇਲਾਜ	Ilaaj
Tree	ਰੁੱਖ	Rukha
Usually	ਆਮ ਤੌਰ ‘ਤੇ	Aam Taura’te
Value	ਮੁੱਲ	Mula
Vanish	ਗਾਇਬ	Gaaib
Vehicle	ਵਾਹਨ	Vaahan
Wonder	ਹੈਰਾਨ	Hairaan
Wood	ਲੱਕੜ	Lakkar
Worst	ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਭੈੜਾ	Sabha Ton Bhairaa
Yawn	ਯੌਨ	Yauna
You	ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ	Tuhaanu

How Do You Say Speak In Punjabi?

The verb “speak” in Punjabi is known as bolana. However, in common, day-to-day language, Punjabis use the term gall karana, where gall means “talk” or “conversation” and karana is the verb “to do.”

Practical Tips On Speaking Punjabi For Beginners

If you’re just starting out with Punjabi, here are some practical and easy-to-follow tips to help you speak with confidence:

1. Learn Common Greetings and Phrases – Start with simple words and everyday expressions like Sat sri akal (ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ) for “Hello”, Ki haal hai (ਕੀ ਹਾਲ ਹੈ?) for “How are you?” and dhanvaad (ਧੰਨਵਾਦ) for “Thank you.”
2. Practice Speaking Daily – Speak Punjabi out loud, even if you’re alone. Narrate your actions, like “I am drinking tea” → Main chaah pee riha/rihi haan (ਮੈਂ ਚਾਹ ਪੀ ਰਿਹਾ/ਰਹੀ ਹਾਂ).
3. Listen to Native Punjabi Speakers – Watch Punjabi movies, listen to Punjabi songs, or follow Punjabi podcasts to improve your pronunciation and comprehension.
4. Understand Sentence Structure – Punjabi follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure. For example: “I eat an apple” → Main seb khaanda/khaandi haan (ਮੈਂ ਸੇਬ ਖਾਂਦਾ/ਖਾਂਦੀ ਹਾਂ).
5. Engage in Conversations – Speak with native Punjabi speakers, join online communities, or practice with Punjabi-speaking friends.
6. Think in Punjabi – Instead of translating from English, try forming thoughts directly in Punjabi to build fluency.
7. Be Consistent and Have Fun – Learning a new language takes time, so keep practicing daily and enjoy the process!

FAQs About How To Speak Punjabi

How To Start Speaking Punjabi?

To start speaking Punjabi, start learning the basic Punjabi vocabulary and phrases. You can also choose to use these phrases in conversation with your Punjabi friends. If you don’t have any Punjabi friend or acquaintance, make the Ling app your Punjabi friend. It is a handy tool to get started due to its audio lessons recorded by native Punjabi speakers as well as it’s finger tracing method to learn the Punjabi alphabet.

How Do You Say Hello In Punjabi?

To say hello in Punjabi, use the term Sat sri akaal. Though, please be mindful that only Punjabi Sikhs and Punjabi Hindus use this greeting. To say hello to a person of Pakistani Muslim descent, use Salaam.

Can I Learn Punjabi If I Know Hindi?

Yes, you can learn Punjabi quite easily if you are familiar with Hindi already! Both languages share a lot of similarities – their sentence structure, their grammar, and a vast majority of their vocabulary two. That’s because both of these Indo-Aryan languages are born out of the ancient Prakrit language, thus, have a common root.

Let’s Wrap Up: How To Speak Punjabi

So, what are you waiting for? As we discussed in this article, if you want to learn how to speak Punjabi, then immerse yourself in Punjabi culture by listening to music, engaging with the community, and reading Punjabi books and websites. To further develop a consistent Punjabi learning routine, you can use language learning apps, and join speaking clubs. You can consider hiring a private tutor for personalized lessons to improve your Punjabi speaking skills but that would be a costly affair!

Want Some More Punjabi?

Feel like you need a boost? If you want to learn any foreign language like a pro, check the Ling app as it has some amazing features. The most amazing thing about the app is the native speaker audio lessons. So, you’ll be able to “hear” how Punjabi sounds in a native speaker’s voice. Plus, you get some cool features like Grammar Notes and Culture Notes that help you learn the language within the cultural context.

So, what are you waiting for? Download the Ling app from the Google Play Store or App Store and start learning Punjabi today!