I firmly believe that learning some conversation starter phrases is key to mingling well to the local crowd if you are a traveler or an expat or a professional working in a different country. That’s because, unlike tourists on holidays, you are not confined to hotels and English-speaking concierge services. You are out, enjoying the local experience with the local people.
So come, in this article, let’s learn some basic Punjabi conversational phrases that would not only get you by but also earn you warmth and friendship from locals. After all, you are conversing with them in their own Punjabi language!
Table Of Contents
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 | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| How are you? | ਕਿ ਹਾਲ ਹੈ? | Ki haal hai? |
| I am fine. | ਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਹਾਂ | Main theek haan |
| You tell. | ਤੁਸੀ ਦੱਸੋ ਤੁਸੀ ਸੁਣਾਓ | Tussi dasso Tussi sunao |
| What is your name? | ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਮ ਕਿ ਹੈ? | Tuhada naam ki hai? |
| My name is ___ | ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ___ ਹੈ | Mera naam ___ hai |
| What are you doing? | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ? | Tusi ki kar rahe ho? |
| Where are you from | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਥੇ ਦੇ ਹੋ? | Tusi kithe de ho? |
| What did you do today? | ਅੱਜ ਕਿ ਕੀਤਾ? | Ajj ki kita? |
| I did ____ | ਅੱਜ ਮੈਂ ___ ਕੀਤਾ | Ajj main ___ 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 si? |
| It was good. | ਵੜਿਆ ਸੀ | Wadia si |
| It was not good/bad. | ਘਟੀਆ ਸੀ | Ghatia si |
| It was okay. | ਠੀਕ ਠਾਕ ਸੀ | Thik thak si |
Punjabi Greetings Conversation
Another bunch of basic words that are used as greetings in Punjabi 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 are also famous Punjabi slang words that can help you break the ice. 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 | Punjabi | Transliteration | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hangout | ਗੇੜੀ | Gedi | Gedi’s literal meaning is going out with friends |
| Who cares? | ਸਾਨੂ ਕਿ | Sanu ki | Saanu ki literal meaning what’s in it to me?/ why should I care? |
| What a sight! | ਪਟੋਲਾ | Patola | Patola’s literal meaning is someone being a “complete package”. The Proper patola Punjabi song was made in reference to this expression. |
| Hug | ਝੱਪੀ | Jhappi | It helps to feel good when you get a quick jhappi from your friend |
| It’s okay, forget it | ਮਿੱਟੀ ਪਾਓ | Mitti pao | “Anyhow mitti pao” means “whatever”, and in case of quarrels, reduces tension between friends or family |
| I’m from your own people. | ਪਿੰਡ | Pind | Pind, literal meaning is village. |
| Wassup Raula | ਰੌਲਾ | Raula | “wassup raula” literal meaning similar to Kiddan (ਕਿੱਦਾਂ), i.e., what’s up/ what’s happening? |
| Well-built Punjabi boy | ਗਬਰੂ / ਗਬਰੂ ਜਾਵਾਂ | Gabruu/Gabruu Jawan | Mostly this word refers to young men |
Formal Punjabi Conversational Phrases
After general words and greetings are exchanged, here are some serious Punjabi conversational phrases and their response.
| English | Punjabi | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| What brings you here? | ਤੁਸੀ ਇੱਥੇ ਕੀ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ? | Tusi ithe ki kar rahe ho? |
| I’m here on business. | ਮੈਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਕਾਰੋਬਾਰ ‘ਤੇ ਹਾਂ। | Main ithe kaarobaar te haan. |
| I’m visiting from out of town. | ਮੈਂ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ। | Main shahar ton baahar a riha haan. |
| What about you? | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਾਰੇ ਦੱਸੋ? | Tus apane baare daso. |
| I’m here to meet someone. | ਮੈਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ। | Main ithe kisi nu milan aaya haan. |
| It’s nice to meet you. | ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਚੰਗਾ ਲੱਗਿਆ. | Tuhanu mil ke changa lagya. |
| It’s nice to meet you too. | ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਵੀ ਚੰਗਾ ਲੱਗਾ। | Tuhanu mil ke vi changa lagya. |
| Please tell me a bit about yourself. | ਕਿਰਪਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਾਰੇ ਕੁਝ ਦੱਸੋ। | Kirapa mainu apne baare kujh daso. |
| My name is Sandeep, and I’m a recent graduate. | ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਸੰਦੀਪ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਮੈਂ ਹਾਲ ਹੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਗ੍ਰੈਜੂਏਟ ਹਾਂ। | Mera naam sandeep hai, te main haal hi vich graduate haan. |
| I like challenges. | ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੁਣੌਤੀਆਂ ਪਸੰਦ ਹਨ। | Mainu chunautiyaan pasand han. |
| I like working in teams. | ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਕਾਮ ਕਰਨਾ ਪਸੰਦ ਹੈ। | Mainu lokaan naal kaam karna pasand hai. |
| I am hardworking. | ਮੈਂ ਮਿਹਨਤੀ ਹਾਂ। | Main mihanati haan. |
If these set of sentences and a smart outfit to go with it will surely set to impress all you meet!
How Do You Say Conversation In Punjabi?
In Punjabi, the word “conversation” is called galabaata (ਗੱਲਬਾਤ). It is pronounced as gal-baa-ta.
Frequently Asked Questions About Conversational Phrases In Punjabi
What Are Some Punjabi Slangs?
Here the five Punjabi slang words:
- Siaapa (ਸਿਆਾਪਾ) – Refers to a troublesome situation or a mess. For example, eh ki siaapa pa lia means “What kind of mess is this?”
- Tip top (ਟਿਪ ਟੋਪ) – Used to describe something that is perfect or excellent. For example, usadi dress bilkul tip top hai which means “Her dress is absolutely perfect.”
- Jugaad (ਜੁਗਾੜ) – Means a clever or resourceful solution, often unconventional. For example, ohade kam lai vadiya jugaad lab lia which means, “He found a clever solution for the work.”
- Chak de phatte (ਚੱਕ ਦੇ ਫੱਟੇ) – An expression of encouragement or motivation, similar to “Give it your all” or “Go for it.” For example, Match vich chak de phatte which means “Give it your all in the match!”
- Bak bak (ਬੱਕ ਬੱਕ) – Refers to excessive or pointless talking, similar to “chatter.” For example, bas kar, bahut bak bak ho gai, which means, “Stop it, that’s enough chatter.”
How Do You Greet Someone In Punjab?
To greet someone in Punjabi, bring together your palms in a Namaste gesture and say sat sri akaal.
What Is The Greeting Style Of Punjab?
The greeting style of Punjab in India is similar to the rest of the country – folding hands together in a Namaste gesture at chest level. In Pakistani Punjab, the greeting is Salaam.
Trivia About Punjabi
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. Conversations or as they say in Punjabi Galabaata (ਗੱਲਬਾਤ), have some tones, trending terms, and pronunciations according to regions. Check this funny video out that really shows the differences!
The word Punjabi can also be pronounced as Panjabi or 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.
Explore More Punjabi
With all these Punjabi conversational phrases, you might want to dig deeper into the Punjabi 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.
You can also check out many other articles related to Punjabi language learning. So, get, set, go!
