I first heard a Punjabi proverb in high school when one of my Punjabi classmates taunted the other one saying, Chajj da vairi aapa, in the middle of a nasty argument. It means, “One’s own behavior is one’s biggest enemy.” The girl was dropping some truth bombs right there in the middle of a Physics lab!
But why do I even remember this? It’s certainly because of the deep meaning behind these Punjabi words and obviously not because of the catfight, duh! But seriously, do you know some of the greatest Punjabi proverbs of all the time and their deep, philosophical meanings?
If not, hold tight! In this blog post, you’ll learn all that you need to know about famous Punjabi proverbs.
Famous Punjabi proverbs
Life is considered and believed to be a roller coaster. One day a person fails to get up and the other day a person assumes good things and he gets at the edge of motivation. Language plays a vital role in adding beauty to a person’s life.
Punjabi proverbs are just a few words but are very practical. Idioms are very precious as they add color to the language and amplify messages. Nobody can target language because of these proverbs. these fit in every person’s matter. Punjabi life begins with these proverbs.
Can the Punjabi language die? The same question is for every language and the answer is no because of these proverbs. Following are some best Punjabi proverbs
1. Ghar da Jogi Jogra – ਘਰ ਦਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਜੋਗਰਾ
It is a Punjabi phrase that draws the reader’s attention, and it means that an educated person is honored.
2. Bahar da Jogi Sidh – ਬਹਾਰ ਦਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਸਿੱਧ
This Punjabi phrase tells us about the previous proverb by completing it. It says that an educated person is honored everywhere other than his own house.
3. Rakhiye te preet, nahi e pleet – ਰਾਖੀਐ ਤੇਰੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਨਾ ਈ ਪਲੀਤ
It indicates a bad person and says that if you can afford someone then he/she is a good person for you otherwise you don’t like him/her.
4. Har Sufi Saafi nahi hunda – ਹਰਿ ਸੂਫੀ ਸਾਫੀ ਨ ਹੁੰਦਾ
This is a Punjabi idiom that deals with something like genuineness. It says that not every Sufi is a true one. Society thinks that every Sufi is the real one but this is a risky game. Many people adopt Sufism just for their own comfort rather than using their knowledge to enhance people’s understanding.
An English proverb fits in this exact situation which says that all that shines is not gold. Similarly, not every Sufi is a learned person, and taking advice from the fake ones, who are doing wrong work, is a slippery game.
5. Tu Vi Rani mein Vi Rani – ਤੂ ਵੀ ਰਾਣੀ ਮੇਂ ਵੀ ਰਾਣੀ
This Punjabi phrase indicates VIP treatment among people. It says that if everybody starts enjoying the headship, then nothing gets completed.
6. Kothi vala Roye chhappar wala soye – ਕੋਠੀ ਵਾਲਾ ਰੋਏ ਛਪਾਰ ਵਾਲਾ ਸੋਏ
As we all know that an active number of people are living in mansions and are enjoying their middle-class life. This Punjabi proverb indicates the fact that rich people are restless while the poor sleep peacefully.
7. Oh kehri Gali jithe bhago Na khale – ਓਇ ਕੇਹੜੀ ਗਲੀ ਜਿਤੇ ਭਾਗੋ ਨ ਖੇਲੇ
This Punjabi idiom says that there is no street where Bhago ( indicates any person) is not found. The person who is available everywhere, even in irrelevant places.
8. App Kachajji Vehde nu dosh – ਐਪ ਕਚੱਜੀ ਵੇਹਦੇ ਨ ਦੋਸ਼
It has an English translation that people who themselves are not good at anything but they are always in the first line to blame others.
9. Nā’u manu dūra hōvai, tē na rādhā nacē ਨਾਉ ਮਨੁ ਦੂਰ ਹੋਵੈ, ਤੇ ਨ ਰਾਧਾ ਨਚੇ
This is a Punjabi idiom saying that when a person feels dead, he gets something (task) that is never going to get completed. It is also known as Naa nau mann tel hove, te naa Radha nachhe.
10. Jhabhal putt na jamiye, dhe anni changi – ਝਭਲ ਪੁਤ ਨ ਜਾਮੀਐ, ਦੈ ਅੰਨੀ ਰੰਗਿ
We all know that man is considered a very active member of society but man loses respect in this Punjabi phrase. It says that even if a daughter (woman) is not capable of doing anything, they are still better than the sons (man) who spoil the work.
11. aap na vassi, lokaan nu matti – ਆਪ ਨ ਵਸਿ, ਲੋਕਨ ਨ ਮਾਟੀ
This Punjabi proverb has an English translation: People who have no knowledge about a job or work and they give advice to other people who are doing the same job.
12. anna wande reoriyaan, te mud mud aapeyaana – ਅੰਨਾ ਵੰਡੇ ਰੀਓਰੀਆ, ਤੇ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਆਪੇਆਣਾ
This is for the people who favor their relatives in everything.
13. Garhe nu hath laaya, sara tabar tihaaya – ਗੜ੍ਹੇ ਨ ਹਾਥ ਲਾਇਆ, ਸਾਰਾ ਤਬਰ ਤਿਹਾਇਆ
This idiom says that when one person starts an initiative for anything, other people, even lazy people, join it.
14. kar punn kha ghasunn – ਕਰ ਪੁੰਨ ਕਹਾ ਘਸੁੰ
This Punjabi phrase is for a person who gets bad even after doing good to them.
15. siro ganji, hath kanghiya da joda – ਸਿਰੋ ਗੰਜੀ, ਹੱਥ ਕਾਂਝੀਆ ਦਾ ਜੋੜਾ
It is for the people who use irrelevant things without their use.
16. kutte bhaunkde rehnde ne, hathi langh jande ne – ਕੁੱਤੇ ਭੌਂਕਦੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਨੇ, ਹੱਥੀਂ ਲੰਗ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਨੇ
This is for the people who have bossy attitudes and do not care about what other people are saying about them. They continue their job without thinking of other people.
17. Dhere di burhi, taka sir munaaida – ਢੇਰੇ ਦੀ ਬੁੜ੍ਹੀ, ਤਕਾ ਸਰ ਮੁਨੈਦਾ
It is used for people who spend a lot of money even without need.
18. balakh na bukhare – ਬਲਖ ਨ ਬੁਖਾਰੇ
This idiom is used for the fact that a person will feel safe only in his own house. The real comfort is at home.
19. cherni da dudh soney de pandey vich ee smanda ae – ਚੇਰਨੀ ਦਾ ਦੂਧ ਸੋਨੀ ਦੇ ਪਾਂਡੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਈ ਸਮੰਦਾ ਏ
It means that precious and expensive things need extra care.
20. naahti dhoti reh gi, muh te makhi behgi – ਨੰਤੀ ਧੋਤੀ ਰੇਹ ਗੀ, ਮੁਹ ਤੇ ਮਾਖੀ ਬਹਿਗੀ
It indicates the people who prepare something but it does not happen that way.
Importance Of Punjabi Proverbs
A proverb is defined as a traditional word that expresses idiomatic meaning. These words are metaphorical. Punjabi proverbs also have insightful meanings and represent folk culture. Punjabi proverbs enhance the beauty of the Punjabi language.
The Hindi or Urdu translation for Punjabi proverbs is muhavare and known as ਅਖਾਣ (Akkhan) in the Punjabi language. Punjabi muhavare (proverbs) helps in flourishing the preciousness of the language. These are metaphorical words that beautifully fit in real life and are practical in society. These Punjabi proverbs give an artistic expansion to the language.
As there are different cultures found in the same society, Punjabi muhavare are responsible for sharing culture as these are used in non-Punjabi due to their fame. People consider these Punjabi proverbs to be very catchy because it broadens people’s understanding.
Other Punjabi Proverbs
Let’s learn some more proverbs in the Punjabi language!
| English | Punjabi | Romanized Punjabi |
|---|---|---|
| Often simple eyes are opened by the same people as you believe by closing your eyes. | ਅਕਸਰ ਸਾਦੀਆ ਅੱਖਾ ਓਹੀ ਲੋਕ ਖੋਲਦੇ ਨੇ, ਜਿਨਾ ਉਟੇ ਤੁਸੀ ਅੱਖ ਬੰਦ ਕਰਕੇ ਯਕੀਨ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ। | Akasara sādī’ā akhā ōhī lōka khōladē nē, jinā uṭē tusī akha bada karakē yakīna karadē hō. |
| There was a lot of my world too, then love happened and Asi became homeless. | ਬਹੂਤ ਸੀ ਮੇਰੀ ਵੀ ਦੁਨੀਆ ਹੈ, ਫਿਰ ਹੋਯਾ ਇਸ਼ਕ ਤੇ ਆਸੀ ਲਾਵਾਰਿਸ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ। | bahūta sī mērī vī dunī’ā hai, phira hōyā iśaka tē āsī lāvārisa hō gi’ā. |
| Pray for the ascendant, welcome to the ascendant. | ਚੜਦੰ ਵਾਲਿਆ ਨੂ ਦੁਆਵਾ, ਵਾਲੀਆ ਦਾ ਸਵਾਗਤ ਤੇ। | Caṛada vāli’ā nū du’āvā, vālī’ā dā savāgata tē. |
| Good people made the menu happy, bad people experienced … very bad people learned lessons, and very good people remembered. | ਚੰਗੇ ਲੋਕਾ ਨੇ ਮੇਨੂ ਖੁਸ਼ੀਆ ਦਿੱਤੀਆ, ਬੁਰਿਆ ਨੇ ਤਜਰਬਾ..ਬਹੁਤ ਬੁਰਿਆ ਨੇ ਸਬਕ, ਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਚੰਗਿਆ ਨੇ ਯਾਦ। | Cagē lōkā nē mēnū khuśī’ā ditī’ā, buri’ā nē tajarabā..Bahuta buri’ā nē sabaka, tē bahuta cagi’ā nē yāda. |
| It seems to everyone nowadays, not PTA, what about the heart. | ਦਾਰ ਹੀ ਲਗਦਾ ਅਜਕਲ ਹਰ ਕਿਸ ਨੂੰ, ਪੀਟੀਏ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਿਡੇ ਦਿਲ ਬਾਰੇ ਕੀ ਹੈ। | Dāra hī lagadā ajakala hara kisa nū, pīṭī’ē nahīṁ kiḍē dila bārē kī hai. |
| There should be wealth of heart, God is not found with wealth of money. | ਦਿਲ ਦੀ ਅਮੀਰੀ ਹੋਵੇ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ ਆ, ਪੇਸੇ ਦੀ ਅਮੀਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਰੱਬ ਨੀ ਮਿਲਦਾ। | Dila dī amīrī hōvē cāhīdī ā, pēsē dī amīrī nāla raba nī miladā. |
| Everybody is a human being, love is alive. | ਇੰਸਾਨ ਦੀ ਜੂਨ ਕਟਦਾ ਤਾ ਹਰ ਕੋਈ ਹੈ, ਪਿਆਰ ਜਿਓੰਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਹੈ। | Isāna dī jūna kaṭadā tā hara kō’ī hai, pi’āra ji’ōdā kō’ī hai. |
| The same person, just the situation changed..the same heart just changed the emotion. | ਇੰਸਾਨ ਓਹੀ ਨੇ, ਬਸ ਹਲਾਤ ਬਦਲ ਗਿਆ..ਦਿਲ ਓਹੀ ਨੇ ਬਸ ਜਜ਼ਬਤ ਬਦਲ ਗਿਆ। | Isāna ōhī nē, basa halāta badala gi’ā..Dila ōhī nē basa jazabata badala gi’ā. |
| Unless one is in pain, one does not feel the pain of others. | ਜਦੋ ਤਕ ਖੁਦ ਨੂੰ ਦਰਦ ਨਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਓਦੋ ਤਕ ਦੂਜਿਆ ਦੇ ਦਰਦ ਦਾ ਅਹਿਸਾਸ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ। | Jadō taka khuda nū darada nā hōvē ōdō taka dūji’ā dē darada dā ahisāsa nahīṁ hudā. |
| If it is for the good of the hand behind the back, then one should step back. | ਜੇਕਰ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਹੱਥ ਨਾਲ ਕਿਸ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਤਾਂ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਹਟ ਜਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। | Jēkara pichē hatha nāla kisa dā bhalā hudā hai, tāṁ pichē haṭa jāṇā cāhīdā hai. |
| The man who cries out for his own sorrows all the time, even the happy pleasures at the flying door are covered with dust. | ਜੀਹਦਾ ਇੰਸਾਨ ਹਰ ਵੇਲੇ ਆਪੇ ਦੁਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੋਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਡੇ ਦਰਵਾਜੇ ਤੇ ਖੇੜੇ ਸੁਖ ਵੀ ਮਿੱਟੀ ਜੰਡੇ ਨੇ। | Jīhadā isāna hara vēlē āpē dukhāṁ nū rōndā hai, uḍē daravājē tē khēṛē sukha vī miṭī jaḍē nē. |
Wrapping Up
That’s it for this blog post. If you are looking for more ways of learning Punjabi then why not try the Ling App which has countless amazing ways of learning any new language? It teaches you an artistic expression while it also broadens people’s understanding. If you are interested in learning more about the Punjabi blogposts then check out Punjabi Relationship Vocabulary and Punjabi Emergency Phrases.
Happy Learning!
