I am sure you must have heard the words jaan or heeriye if you have Punjabi friends or colleagues in your circle. Or, if you have been on a steady diet of Bollywood films! These are the most popular ways to address your special someone or romantic partner in the Punjabi language.
Now, if you’d want to take a step further and gather some more Punjabi relationship vocabulary to impress your Punjabi loved one or shower them with some love language, you have landed at the right page! In this blog post, we will walk you through all the important terms related to relationships. So, let’s get started with this fun Punjabi lesson!
Punjabi Relationship Vocabulary
So, you’re a foreigner or Vidēśī (ਵਿਦੇਸ਼ੀ) who fell for a Punjabi speaking girl or boy? Well, here is a list of Punjabi words you can use to address your beloved.
| English | Punjabi | Romanized Punjabi |
|---|---|---|
| Love | ਪਿਆਰ | Pi’āra |
| Dear/ Darling | ਸੋਨਾ | Sōnā |
| Love/ Life | ਜਾਨ | Jāna |
| Beloved | ਦਿਲਬਰ | Dilabara |
| My life | ਮੇਰੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ | Mērī zidagī |
| My love | ਹੀਰਿਏ | Hīri’ē |
| Soul | ਰੂਹ | Rūha |
| Soulmate | ਹਾਣੀਏ | Hāṇī’ē |
Punjabi Dating Culture
If you are nursing a soft corner for a Punjabi kudi (girl) or munda (boy), there are a couple of things you need to know about the dating culture in Punjab.
Cultural Norms
Punjabi culture is a relatively conservative culture when compared to the rest of the world, particularly the West. Traditional Punjabi families still follow the old teachings where you have to take permission from the elders before dating a guy or girl, unlike the modern world where it’s not necessary. Especially when it comes to girls, Punjabi families are very protective of them. If you are a guy who wants to date a Punjabi girl you will most likely have to pass an interview in which all the elders of the family will be there. Not only that, girls aren’t allowed to freely go out with guys in most families unless they are married or engaged to the guy.
However, this is not the case when it comes to Punjabi diaspora. Punjabi community living out of India has a relaxed and relatively less rigid approach towards romantic relationship.
Religious Values
Punjab is a land of three main religions. There are Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs. Sikhs are the major population. Whatever the religion maybe they are very strict when it comes to the religion of their partners. Punjabi families prefer someone of the same religion for their sons and daughters too. It is very hard to date in Punjab if your partner has a different religion. While dating someone with different religious views than you is getting more acceptable, it will still be a long time before it is normalized.
Physical Appearance
Another important thing to consider about the dating culture in Punjab is that physical appearance is given great value in Punjabi culture. Especially when it comes to girls, a Punjabi family would always prefer a prettier girl for their sons regardless of her education or personality. Punjabi men also prefer to date more beautiful young women. This trend is also going extinct in urban Punjab where a girl isn’t judged based solely on her looks. Any educated Punjabi family would look for more mature traits to look for while selecting a partner for their sons or daughters.
Endearing Words In Punjabi
There are different words that are relevant when talking about the Punjabi relationships. If you are wondering how the Punjabis might talk about love, then here is a list of more options that you can learn and use in your everyday life.
| English | Punjabi | Romanized Punjabi |
|---|---|---|
| Admire | ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ੰਸਾ | Praśasā |
| Adorable | ਮਨਮੋਹਕ | manamōhaka |
| Adore | ਅਡੋਰ | aḍōra |
| Amazing | ਹੈਰਾਨੀਜਨਕ | hairānījanaka |
| Amorous | ਕਾਮੁਕ | kāmuka |
| Ardent | ਜੋਰਦਾਰ | jōradāra |
| Beautiful | ਸੁੰਦਰ | sudara |
| Beloved | ਪਿਆਰੇ | pi’ārē |
| Better Half | ਬੈਟਰ ਹਾਫ | baiṭara hāpha |
| Bewitching | ਮਨਮੋਹਕ | manamōhaka |
| Care | ਦੇਖਭਾਲ | dēkhabhāla |
| Caress | ਸਵਾਹ | savāha |
| Crazy For You | ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਪਾਗਲ | tuhāḍē la’ī pāgala |
| Cuddle | ਗਲਵੱਕੜੀ | Galavakaṛī |
| Cupcake | ਕੱਪਕੇਕ | kapakēka |
| Cutie | ਸੋਹਣੀ | Sōhaṇī |
| Darling | ਡਾਰਲਿੰਗ | ḍāraliga |
| Daydream | ਦਿਨ ਦਾ ਸੁਪਨਾ | dina dā supanā |
| Dearest | ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਪਿਆਰਾ | sabha tōṁ pi’ārā |
| Delight | ਅਨੰਦ | anada |
| Devotion | ਸ਼ਰਧਾ | śaradhā |
| Dreamy | ਸੁਪਨੇ ਵਾਲਾ | supanē vālā |
| Embrace | ਗਲੇ ਲਗਾਓ | galē lagā’ō |
| Enamored | ਮੋਹਿਤ | mōhita |
| Enchanting | ਮਨਮੋਹਕ | manamōhaka |
| Enthralling | ਮਨਮੋਹਕ | manamōhaka |
| Entice | ਲੁਭਾਉਣਾ | lubhā’uṇā |
| Fairy-Tale | ਪਰੀਆ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ | parī’ā dī kahāṇī |
| Fanciful | ਕਲਪਨਾਪੂਰਣ | kalapanāpūraṇa |
| Fancy | ਫੈਂਸੀ | phainsī |
| Friend And Lover | ਦੋਸਤ ਅਤੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ | dōsata atē prēmī |
| Gorgeous | ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ | śānadāra |
| Handsome | ਸੁੰਦਰ | sudara |
| Heavenly | ਸਵਰਗੀ | savaragī |
| Immortalize | ਅਮਰ ਕਰ ਦੇਣਾ | amara kara dēṇā |
| Impassioned | ਭਾਵੁਕ | bhāvuka |
| Infatuation | ਮੋਹ | mōha |
| Intimate | ਗੂੜ੍ਹਾ | gūṛhā |
| Keeper Of My Heart | ਮੇਰੇ ਦਿਲ ਦਾ ਰੱਖਿਅਕ | mērē dila dā rakhi’aka |
| Life-Changing | ਜੀਵਨ-ਬਦਲਣ ਵਾਲਾ | jīvana-badalaṇa vālā |
| Light Of My Life | ਮੇਰੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਦੀ ਰੋਸ਼ਨੀ | mērī zidagī dī rōśanī |
| Lover | ਪ੍ਰੇਮੀ | prēmī |
| Lovey-Dovey | ਪਿਆਰ ਭਰਿਆ | pi’āra bhari’ā |
| Mesmerize | ਮੋਹਿਤ ਕਰੋ | mōhita karō |
| My Everything | ਮੇਰਾ ਸਭ ਕੁਝ | mērā sabha kujha |
| My Love | ਮੇਰਾ ਪਿਆਰ | mērā pi’āra |
| Need | ਲੋੜ ਹੈ | lōṛa hai |
| Passionate | ਭਾਵੁਕ | bhāvuka |
| Prince Charming | ਬੜਾ ਹੀ ਸੋਹਨਾ | baṛā hī sōhanā |
| Princess | ਰਾਜਕੁਮਾਰੀ | rājakumārī |
| Reverence | ਸਤਿਕਾਰ | satikāra |
| Sensual | ਕਾਮੁਕ | kāmuka |
| Sweetheart | ਪਿਆਰੇ | pi’ārē |
| Sweetie | ਸਵੀਟੀ | savīṭī |
| Sweetness | ਮਿਠਾਸ | miṭhāsa |
| Treasure | ਖਜਾਨਾ | khajānā |
| Value | ਮੁੱਲ | mula |
| Want | ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ | cāhudē |
| Wonderful | ਅਦਭੁਤ | adabhuta |
| Worship | ਪੂਜਾ, ਭਗਤੀ | pūjā, bhagatī |
Bonus Phrases
Here are some bonus phrases for you to impress your loved ones! You can find more such similar phrases on the Ling app.
| English | Punjabi | Romanized Punjabi |
|---|---|---|
| I declare my love and affection toward you. | ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿਆਰ ਅਤੇ ਸਨੇਹ ਦਾ ਐਲਾਨ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। | Maiṁ tuhāḍē pratī āpaṇē pi’āra atē sanēha dā ailāna karadā hāṁ. |
| We make a good team. | ਅਸੀਂ ਇੱਕ ਚੰਗੀ ਟੀਮ ਬਣਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ। | Asīṁ ika cagī ṭīma baṇā’undē hāṁ. |
| We’re meant for each other. | ਅਸੀਂ ਇੱਕ ਦੂਜੇ ਲਈ ਹਾਂ। | Asīṁ ika dūjē la’ī hāṁ. |
| We’re soul mates. | ਅਸੀਂ ਰੂਹ ਦੇ ਸਾਥੀ ਹਾਂ। | Asīṁ rūha dē sāthī hāṁ. |
| You can’t deny what’s between us. | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਾਡੇ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਜੋ ਕੁਝ ਹੈ ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਇਨਕਾਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ। | Tusīṁ sāḍē vicakāra jō kujha hai usa tōṁ inakāra nahīṁ kara sakadē. |
| You’re incredible. | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਹੋ। | Tusīṁ śānadāra hō. |
| You’re my man. | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਆਦਮੀ ਹੋ। | Tusīṁ mērē ādamī hō. |
| You’re my other half. | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਅੱਧਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਹੋ। | Tusīṁ mērā adhā hisā hō. |
Extended Punjabi Family
Punjabi kinship terms have certain relationships which are. In India, the concept of the joint family system is quite prevalent which provides you with family members who might not be your relatives by law but you would consider your brother.
Let’s look at some such terms that you can use according to your own preferences!
| English | Punjabi | Romanized Punjabi |
|---|---|---|
| Aunt | ਮਾਸੀ | Māsī |
| Brother | ਭਰਾ | bharā |
| Brother’s Daughter | ਭਰਾ ਦੀ ਧੀ | bharā dī dhī |
| Brother’s Son | ਭਰਾ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ | bharā dā putara |
| Brother’s Wife | ਭਰਾ ਦੀ ਪਤਨੀ | bharā dī patanī |
| Cousin | ਚਚੇਰਾ ਭਰਾ | cacērā bharā |
| Daughter | ਧੀ | dhī |
| Daughter’s Daughter | ਧੀ ਦੀ ਧੀ | dhī dī dhī |
| Daughter’s Son | ਧੀ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ | dhī dā putara |
| Family | ਪਰਿਵਾਰ | parivāra |
| Father | ਪਿਤਾ | pitā |
| Father’s Elder Brother | ਪਿਤਾ ਦਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਭਰਾ | pitā dā vaḍā bharā |
| Father’s Father | ਪਿਤਾ ਦਾ ਪਿਤਾ | pitā dā pitā |
| Father’s Mother | ਪਿਤਾ ਦੀ ਮਾਤਾ | pitā dī mātā |
| Father’s Sister | ਪਿਤਾ ਦੀ ਭੈਣ | pitā dī bhaiṇa |
| Father’s Younger Brother | ਪਿਤਾ ਦਾ ਛੋਟਾ ਭਰਾ | pitā dā chōṭā bharā |
| Friends | ਦੋਸਤੋ | dōsatō |
| Husband | ਪਤੀ | patī |
| Husband’s Sister | ਪਤੀ ਦੀ ਭੈਣ | patī dī bhaiṇa |
| Mama | ਮਾਮਾ | māmā |
| Maternal Or Paternal Side | ਮਾਤਾ ਜਾਂ ਪਿਤਾ ਦਾ ਪੱਖ | mātā jāṁ pitā dā pakha |
| Mother | ਮਾਂ | māṁ |
| Mother’s Brother | ਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਭਰਾ | māṁ dā bharā |
| Mother’s Father | ਮਾਤਾ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ | mātā dē pitā |
| Mother’s Mother | ਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਮਾਂ | māṁ dī māṁ |
| Mother’s Sister | ਮਾਂ ਦੀ ਭੈਣ | māṁ dī bhaiṇa |
| Older Brother | ਵੱਡਾ ਭਰਾ | vaḍā bharā |
| Paternal | ਪਿਤਾਮਾ | pitāmā |
| Punjabi Family | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ | pajābī parivāra |
| Relationship | ਰਿਸ਼ਤਾ | riśatā |
| Relationships | ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇ | riśatē |
| Sister | ਭੈਣ | bhaiṇa |
| Sisters | ਭੈਣਾਂ | bhaiṇāṁ |
| Sister’s Husband | ਭੈਣ ਦਾ ਪਤੀ | bhaiṇa dā patī |
| Sister’s Son | ਭੈਣ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ | bhaiṇa dā putara |
| Son | ਪੁੱਤਰ | putara |
| Sons | ਪੁੱਤਰ | putara |
| Son’s Daughter | ਪੁੱਤਰ ਦੀ ਧੀ | putara dī dhī |
| Son’s Son | ਪੁੱਤਰ ਦਾ ਪੁੱਤਰ | putara dā putara |
| Uncle | ਅੰਕਲ | akala |
| Wife | ਪਤਨੀ | patanī |
| Wife’s Brother | ਪਤਨੀ ਦਾ ਭਰਾ | patanī dā bharā |
| Wife’s Sister’s Husband | ਪਤਨੀ ਦੀ ਭੈਣ ਦਾ ਪਤੀ | patanī dī bhaiṇa dā patī |
| Younger Brother | ਛੋਟਾ ਭਰਾ | chōṭā bharā |
| Younger Sister | ਛੋਟੀ ਭੈਣ | chōṭī bhaiṇa |
Wrapping Up
That’s it for this blog post. You surely had a lot to learn. You can check out other blogposts like Punjabi Emergency Phrases and Eid Wishes In Punjabi for similar learning lessons. Happy Learning!
