Learning a new language can be challenging, but it can also be a lot of fun. And what better way to start learning it than by exploring its onomatopoeia? So if you are a Punjabi learning enthusiast, you are in luck! From the sound of a sneeze to the noise of a car horn, this post will cover all the Punjabi onomatopoeia you’re looking for!
As a literary device, onomatopoeia refers to all the words that imitate the sounds of the things they describe, such as “buzz” for the sound of a bee or “crunch” for that of biting into a potato chip. Learning these helps you understand different sounds in the language better and adds a fun element to your linguistic journey. So without much ado, let’s discover the ones used in the Punjabi language below!
Table Of Contents
What Is Punjabi Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeia is mainly used in creative and poetic writing and refers to words that describe sounds. You know, like “sizzle” for the sound of bacon frying or “boom/bang” for that of a big explosion. It’s like the language is making an impression of what it’s talking about!
Onomatopoeia can be found in many different languages, from English to Punjabi and everything in between. Learning it is not only a great way to expand your vocabulary but also a fun way to add humor and playfulness to your skills.
Some Punjabi onomatopoeia sounds are: kharkhar (rattling of a door or window), khitpit (minor household quarrel), gitpit (speaking fast), and so on. Let’s learn some more Punjabi sound words in the section below!
How Do You Say Onomatopoeia In Punjabi?
In Punjabi, “onomatopoeia” is referred to as anukaran (ਅਨੁਕਰਣ). It is pronounced as a-nu-ka-ran.
Common Punjabi Onomatopoeia
Punjabi is a hilarious and lively language that is spoken by millions of people around the globe. And what’s even more exciting is that it is full of quirky and unique Punjabi onomatopoeic words that can make the challenge of learning it even more enjoyable. So, why not add some laughter and excitement to your Punjabi learning journey by diving into the world of Punjabi onomatopoeia? Check out our favorite ones below.
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Sound of something brittle breaking | ਕੜਕ | Kaṛaka |
| To make a rattling sound | ਖੜਖੜਾਉਣਾ | Khaṛakhaṛā’uṇā |
| To break or snap with a cracking sound | ਟੁੱਟਣਾ | Ṭuṭaṇā |
| To creak or squeak | ਖਿੱਚਣਾ | Khicaṇā |
| To tick or click | ਟਿਕਟਿਕਾਉਣਾ | Ṭikaṭikā’uṇā |
| To jingle, tingle, or tinkle | ਝਨਝਨਾਉਣਾ | Jhanajhanā’uṇā |
| To jingle or jangle, also to snore | ਘਿੰਘਰਾਉਣਾ | Ghigharā’uṇā |
| To shut with a thud | ਬੰਦ ਹੋਣਾ | Banda hōṇā |
| The sound of a cricket chirping | ਪਿਆਕਾਪਾ | Pi’ākāpā |
| The sound of music or a lively atmosphere | ਮਸਟਾਨਾ | Masaṭānā |
| The sound of paper being torn | ਖੜਿੱਕ | Khaṛika |
| The sound of a dog barking | ਕੁੱਤਾਪਾ | Kutāpā |
| The sound of thunder | ਕਿੱਲਾਪਾ | Kilāpā |
| To make a rustling or crinkling sound | ਚੜਚੜਾਉਣਾ | Caṛacaṛā’uṇā |
| To burst with a loud noise | ਫੁੱਟਣਾ | Phuṭaṇā |
| The sound of a creaking swing | ਤਾਂਗਾਵਾਦਾ | Tāṅgāvādā |
| To pop or burst | ਫੁੱਦਕਾਰਾਂਆਂ | Phudakārāṁāṁ |
| The sound of a pipe or flute | ਛਿੱਲਮ | Chilama |
| A humming or buzzing noise | ਧੁੰਨਾ | Dhunā |
| To rumble or growl | ਘਮਮੜਾਉਣਾ | Ghamamaṛā’uṇā |
| To sway or swing with a soft sound | ਝੁਮਰਾਉਣਾ | Jhumarā’uṇā |
| The sound of a spinning top | ਚੱਕਰ | Cakara |
| To tick-tock like a clock | ਘੜੀਘੜੀਆਉਣਾ | Ghaṛīghaṛī’ā’uṇā |
Animal Sounds In Punjabi
Got pets, or simply an animal lover? Here are the best words to use!
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| A cat meow | ਮੀਂਵਾਂ | Mīnvāṁ |
| A dog barking | ਢੋਗਾਂ | Ḍhōgāṁ |
| A chick crowing | ਕੁਕਰਾਂ | Kukarāṁ |
| A goat bleating | ਬਕਰੀਆਂ | Bakarī’āṁ |
| A sheep bleating | ਭੇੜਾਂ | Bhēṛāṁ |
| A horse neighing | ਘੋੜੇਆਂ | Ghōṛē’āṁ |
| A pig snoring | ਸੋਈਆਂ | Sō’ī’āṁ |
| A bird chirping | ਚਿੱਟਿਆਂ | Ciṭi’āṁ |
| A cow’s moo | ਗਾਈਆਂ | Gā’ī’āṁ |
| A fish’s splash in the water | ਮੱਛੀਆਂ | Machī’āṁ |
| A frog croaking | ਬਗਲੇ | Bagalē |
| A leopard growling | ਚੀਤਾਂ | Cītāṁ |
| A snake hissing | ਸੰਪਾਂ | Sapāṁ |
How To Use Onomatopoeia In Punjabi?
Onomatopoeias are considered an interesting part of linguistics that involve imitating or replicating sounds through words. They describe different sounds made by various animals, objects, or even humans. Using them in Punjabi can make your language more expressive, creative, and fun. Here are a few examples showing how to use them.
In Conversation
You can use Punjabi onomatopoeias as well as Punjabi verbs in everyday conversations to make them more engaging. For instance, instead of simply saying, “The bird was chirping,” you could say, chitti kaka chiradi si (ਚਿੱਟੀ ਕਾਕਾ ਚੀੜਦੀ ਸੀ).
In Storytelling
They can be used to make storytelling more interesting and entertaining. For instance, if you’re telling a story about a cat, you could describe the sound of the cat meowing by using the sound meenvaan (ਮੀਂਵਾਂ).
In Poetry
Punjabi poetry uses this tool to create a rhythmic and musical effect. For example, the sound of footsteps can be described using thap-thap (ਥਪ-ਥਪ). Sample this: usadi chaal di thap thap saaf sunai dindi si (ਉਸਦੀ ਚਾਲ ਦੀ ਥਪ-ਥਪ ਸਾਫ ਸੁਣਾਈ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਸੀ), which means, “His footsteps could be clearly heard.”
In Writing
They can also be used in writing to make the language more expressive and descriptive. So, if you’re writing about the sound of thunder, you could use garaj (ਗਰਜ). For example: Baddal garaj rahe han (ਬੱਦਲ ਗਰਜ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ), which means, “The clouds are thundering.”
In Songs
Punjabi music uses this tool to create a catchy and memorable rhythm. So, the sound of a train can be described using train di chhuk chhuk (ਟਰੈਨ ਦੀ ਚੂਕ-ਚੂਕ).
Frequently Asked Questions About Punjabi Onomatopoeia
Are Onomatopoeias The Same In All Languages?
No, onomatopoeias are not same in all languages. Onomatopoeias vary across languages due to differences in phonetics and cultural perceptions of sounds. While the concept remains the same, each language adapts these words to fit its unique phonological system, resulting in distinct variations. For example, a dog’s bark is “woof” in English but bhow bhow in Punjabi.
Which Language Has The Most Onomatopoeia?
According to the University of Pittsburgh, Japanese has the most number of onomatopoeias. These are categorized into distinct categories like giseigo (animal and human sounds), giongo (inanimate objects), and gitaigo (mimetic words for states and movements).
What Is The Onomatopoeia For Heavy Rain?
In Punjabi, the word jhamjham is used for heavy rain. It conveys the intensity of a heavy downpour. Another rain related word is kin min (ਕਿਣ ਮਿਣ) or kanniyaan which means a drizzle or light rain.
Explore Some More Fun Aspects Of Punjabi
In summary, Punjabi onomatopoeias can be used in various forms of communication, such as conversation, storytelling, poetry, writing, and in the vibrant Punjabi music. They might seem simple, but they can actually add a unique element of fun and creativity to the language and make it more expressive and interesting.
So that was all about learning the sound words in Punjabi or the Punjabi onomatopaeia. As we’ve learned above, mastering Punjabi is fun when you have the right tools, tips, and techniques. You can learn similar such articles about Punjabi language on Ling’s Punjabi blog. Go and check them now!
