India is the home of many languages. 2.74% of the Indian population speak Punjabi. This means there are 113 million native speakers of the Punjabi language.
Punjabis are now widely spread all over the globe. The vital overseas diaspora of Punjabis is in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. Therefore, it’s truly a good idea to try out this language! The best place to start is with Punjabi conversational phrases.
The word Punjabi can also be pronounced as ਪੰਜਾਬੀ Panjabi or ਪੱਜਾਬੀ Pajjabi depending on the dialect and even the area from which they come for example Lahoris, Lahnda, Pothoharis, the dialect of Ludhiana, Patialas, and so on. You will find mixtures of Indian Punjabi and Pakistan Punjabi languages. Conversations or as they say in Punjabi ਗੱਲਬਾਤ Galabata, have some tones, trending terms, and pronunciations according to regions. Check this funny video out that really shows the differences!
General Punjabi Conversation Starters
The conversation is very typical of Punjabi culture. The questions may surprise you, but this is common in any conversation even acquaintances, and more so for those who you know. They are not disrespectful and show genuine interest and acknowledgment of a person! It has a number of basic Punjabi words that you can use.
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
| How are you? | ਕਿ ਹਾਲ ਹੈ | Ki haal hai? |
| I am fine. | ਮਈ ਠੀਕ ਆ | Mai thik a. |
| You tell. | ਤੁਸੀ ਦੱਸੋ ਤੁਸੀ ਸੁਣਾਓ | Tussi dasso Tussi sunao |
| What is your name? | ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਂ ਕਿ ਹੈ | Tuhada naan ki hai |
| My name is | ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਂ ਹੈਗਾ | Mera naan haga |
| What are you doing? | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ | Tusi ki kar rahe ho. |
| Where are you from | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਥੇ ਦੇ ਹੋ | Tusi kithe dey ho |
| What did you do today? | ਅੱਜ ਕਿ ਕੀਤਾ | Ajj ki kita? |
| I did … | ਅੱਜ ਮਈ …. ਕੀਤਾ | Aaj mai …. kita |
| Did you eat anything? | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੁਛ ਖੜਾ? | Tusi kuch khada? |
| Yes! No! | ਹਨ! ਨਹੀਂ! | Han! Nhi! |
| How was your day? | ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਦਿਨ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਸੀ | Tuhada din kive c? |
| It was good. | ਵੜਿਆ ਸੀ | Wadia c. |
| It was not good/bad. | ਘਟੀਆ ਸੀ | Ghatia c. |
| It was okay. | ਠੀਕ ਠਾਕ ਸੀ | Thik thak c. |
Punjabi Greetings Conversation
Another bunch of basic Punjabi words that are used as greetings like good morning, good afternoon, and so forth can be found here. It has several useful Punjabi phrases that are very handy in introductory conversations, so be sure to check them out! Find also a bunch of Punjabi general words to use in your everyday conversations.
Punjabi Conversational Phrases With Friends
There is a famous saying in the Punjabi language that is slang. Be the cool dude in town with some idea of the common words that are trending now.
People speak Punjabi and English often together when among friends. Some examples of these are given below with the context behind the Punjabi conversational phrases and words:
| English | Context | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
| Hangout | Geydi literal meaning is going out with friends | ਗੇੜੀ | Geydi |
| Who cares? | Saanu ki literal meaning what’s in it to me?/ why should I care? | ਸਾਨੂ ਕਿ | Sanu ki |
| What a sight! | Patola literal meaning is someone being a “complete package”. The Proper patola song was made in reference to this expression. | ਪਟੋਲਾ | Patola |
| Hug | It helps to feel good or ok jhappi and is often said together “ok jhappi“ | ਝੱਪੀ | Jhappi |
| It’s okay, forget it | “Anyhow mitti pao” means “whatever”, and in case of quarrels, reduces tension between friends or family | ਮਿੱਟੀ ਪਾਓ | Mitti pao |
| I’m from your own people. | Pind, literal meaning is village. | ਪਿੰਡ | Pind |
| Wassup Raula | “wassup raula” literal meaning similar to ਕਿੱਦਾਂ Kiddaan | ਰੌਲਾ | Raula |
| Well-built Punjabi boy | Mostly this word refers to young men | ਗਬਰੂ / ਗਬਰੂ ਜਾਵਾਂ | Gabruu/Gabruu Jawan |
Formal Punjabi Conversational Phrases
After general words and greetings are exchanged, here are some serious Punjabi conversational phrases and their response.
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
| What brings you here? | ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਇੱਥੇ ਕੀ ਲਿਆਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ? | Tuhānū ithē kī li’ā’undā hai? |
| I’m here on business. | ਮੈਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਕਾਰੋਬਾਰ ‘ਤੇ ਹਾਂ। | Maiṁ ithē kārōbāra’tē hāṁ. |
| I’m visiting from out of town. | ਮੈਂ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ। | Maiṁ śahira tōṁ bāhara ā rihā hāṁ. |
| What about you? | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਾਰੇ ਦੱਸੋ? | Tusīṁ āpaṇē bārē dasō? |
| I’m here to meet someone. | ਮੈਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ। | Maiṁ ithē kisē nū milaṇa ā’i’ā hāṁ. |
| It’s nice to meet you. | ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਚੰਗਾ ਲੱਗਿਆ. | Tuhānū mila kē cagā lagi’ā. |
| It’s nice to meet you too. | ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਵੀ ਚੰਗਾ ਲੱਗਾ। | Tuhānū mila kē vī cagā lagā. |
| Please tell me a bit about yourself. | ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਾਰੇ ਕੁਝ ਦੱਸੋ। | Kirapā karakē mainū āpaṇē bārē kujha dasō. |
| My name is Sandeep, and I’m a recent graduate. | ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਸੰਦੀਪ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਹਾਲ ਹੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਗ੍ਰੈਜੂਏਟ ਹਾਂ। | Mērā nāma sadīpa hai, atē maiṁ hāla hī vica graijū’ēṭa hāṁ. |
| I like challenges. | ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੈਲੇਂਗੇ ਚੰਗੇ ਲੱਗਦੇ ਹੈ | Mainoo challenge changay lugday hai |
| I like working in teams. | ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਕਾਮ ਕਰਨਾ ਪਸਿੰਦ ਹੈ | Mainoo lokaan naal kaam kerna pasind hai. |
| I am hardworking. | ਮੈਂ ਮੈਹਨੁਤਿ ਹਾਂ | Main maihnuti haan. |
If these set of sentences and a smart outfit to go with it will surely set to impress all you meet!
Learn Punjabi With Ling
With all these Punjabi conversational phrases, you might want to dig deeper into Punjabi. Language learning can be a piece of cake it you have the right tools! Among all the language learning apps, the Ling app offers an intuitive interface and features that are fun and engaging. It has a range of course levels, from beginner to advanced, so users can progress at their own pace and track their progress as they learn the language.
An app is an amazing tool for anyone wanting to learn Punjabi! It’s an easy and fun way to learn the language, and it can be done from the comfort of your own home. With the Ling App’s interactive learning tools, you can start to learn the basics of Punjabi in no time. It’s perfect for those who want to learn the language quickly and without the stress of a traditional classroom setting.
Plus, the Ling App allows you to practice your Punjabi with native speakers from around the world, so you can really get a feel for the language and culture. Learning to speak Punjabi with the Ling App is an enjoyable and rewarding experience that will open up many opportunities for you.
Speak Punjabi like a pro in a matter of weeks! Download the Ling app from the Apple Store or Google Play Store to experience the joy of speaking the Punjabi language to Indians anywhere in the world!
