A famous saying is that you can find two rich things anywhere in Pakistan or India: potatoes and Punjabi! Well, I don’t know about potatoes, but if it’s Punjabi, I must agree! You can hear Punjabi words and phrases everywhere – whether east, west, north, or south. In fact, you can meet a very warm and kind Punjabi person anywhere in these countries.
What kind of basic words should you know? Should you start with, What is your name in Punjabi? There are tons of vocabulary that you can memorize. If you’re ready to learn Punjabi, let’s get started!
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What Are The Basic Punjabi Words And Phrases?
Basic Punjabi Words Every Learner Should Know
In a sentence, we always use pronouns to differentiate which speaker is the subject and who is the one talking. Just like English, Punjabi grammar has rules for Punjabi pronouns. Check out basic Punjabi words for pronouns in this list:
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I | ਮੈ | Main |
| He | ਉਹ | Oh |
| She | ਉਹ | Oh |
| It | ਇਹ | Eh |
| You | ਤੁਸੀਂ | Tu, Tusi |
| This | ਇਹ | Eh |
| That | ਕਿ | Oh |
Basic Punjabi Words And Phrases Used In Daily Conversation
Meeting Punjabis is already an amazing experience in itself. But, you can’t survive talking to local Punjabis without knowing basic Punjabi words and phrases. Especially, if you are visiting Pakistan or India anytime soon. Why not memorize some of these words we’ve listed below and start your language-learning journey today?
If you already have a friend who speaks Punjabi, it’s best to create mock scenarios with real conversations for you to memorize Punjabi fast.
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ | Sat sri akaal |
| How are you? | ਤੁਸੀ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ? | Tusi kiven ho? |
| I am fine | ਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਹਾਂ | Main theek haan |
| Pleased to meet you | ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਹੋਈ | Tuhaanu mil ke khushi hoi |
| Thank You | ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ | Tuhaada dhanvaad |
| What is your name? | ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਹੈ? | Tuhaada naam ki hai? |
| My name is | ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ਹੈ… | Mera naam hai… |
| Where are you from? | ਤੁਸੀ ਕਿੱਥੋ ਹੋ? | Tusi kitho ho? |
| What Happened | ਕੀ ਹੋਇਆ | Ki hoya? |
| Good morning | ਸ਼ੁਭ ਸਵੇਰ/ ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ | Shubh savera/ Sat sri akaal |
| Good evening | ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ | Sat sri akaal |
| Good night | ਸ਼ੁਭ ਰਾਤ | Shubh raat |
How do you use these words in a sentence? We’ve come up with the best guide for basic Punjabi sentence structure so you’ll know how to use tenses and the grammatical concept for each Punjabi conversation.
Punjabi General Words
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Home | ਘਰ | Ghar |
| Come here | ਐਥੇ ਆਓ | Ethey aao |
| Go there | ਉੱਥੇ ਜਾਓ | Uthey jao |
| Sit | ਬੈਠੋ | Baitho |
| Laughter | ਹਾਸਾ | Haasaa |
| Happy | ਖੁਸ਼ | Khush |
| Inside | ਅੰਦਰ | Andar |
| Far | ਦੂਰ | Door |
| Near | ਨੇੜੇ | Nere |
| Water | ਪਾਣੀ | Paani |
| Sleep | ਨੀਂਦ | Neend |
| Eat | ਖਾਉ | Khaao |
| Drink | ਪੀ | Pi |
| Sorry | ਮੁਆਫ ਕਰਨਾ | Mauf karanaa |
| Welcome | ਸਵਾਗਤ ਹੈ | Swaagat hai |
| Yes | ਹਾਂ | Haan |
| No | ਨਹੀਂ | Nahi |
| Right | ਸੱਜੇ | Sajje |
| Left | ਖੱਬੇ | Khabbey |
| Shopping | ਖਰੀਦਦਾਰੀ | Khareedaari |
| Thank you | ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ | Tuhaada dhanvaad |
| Understand | ਸਮਝੋ | Samajho |
Numbers To Learn In Punjabi
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Zero | ਸਿਫਰ | Siphar |
| One | ਇੱਕ | Ik |
| Two | ਦੋ | Do |
| Three | ਤਿੰਨ | Tin |
| Four | ਚਾਰ | Chaar |
| Five | ਪੰਜ | Panj |
| Six | ਛੇ | Chey |
| Seven | ਸੱਤ | Satt |
| Eight | ਅੱਠ | Atth |
| Nine | ਨੌ | Nau |
| Ten | ਦਸ | Das |
Punjabi Words And Phrases When Shopping
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this for? | ਇਹ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਲਈ ਹੈ? | Iha kine lai hai? |
| I can’t buy it | ਮੈਂ ਇਸਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਖਰੀਦ ਸਕਦਾ | Main isanu khareed nahi sakdaa |
| What items do you have? | ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਕੋਲ ਕਿਹੜੀਆਂ ਚੀਜ਼ਾਂ ਹਨ? | Tuhaade kol kehariyaan cheezaan hain? |
| How does it work? | ਇਹ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਚਲਦਾ ਹੈ? | Iha kivem chaladaa hai? |
| Can you give a discount? | ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਛੂਟ ਦੇ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ | Ki tusi chhuta de sakade ho? |
| I will buy it | ਮੈਂ ਇਸਨੂੰ ਖਰੀਦ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ | Main isanu khareed lavangaa |
| I will pay in cash | ਮੈਂ ਨਕਦ ਭੁਗਤਾਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ | Main nakada bhugataana karaanga |
| I will pay by credit | ਮੈਂ ਕ੍ਰੈਡਿਟ ਕਾਰਡ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਭੁਗਤਾਨ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ | Main credit card dwara bhugataana karaanga |
| I will not buy it | ਮੈਂ ਇਸਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਖਰੀਦਾਂਗਾ | Main isanu nahi khareedaangaa |
Restaurant Words And Phrases In Punjabi
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| What is on the menu? | ਮੀਨੂ ‘ਤੇ ਕੀ ਹੈ? | Menu te ki hai? |
| I am vegetarian | ਮੈਂ ਸ਼ਾਕਾਹਾਰੀ ਹਾਂ | Main shaakaahaari haan |
| I am hungry | ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭੁੱਖ ਲੱਗ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ | Mainu bhukh lag rahi hai |
| I want to drink | ਮੈਂ ਪੀਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ | Main peena chaundaa haan |
| The food was amazing | ਭੋਜਨ ਸ਼ਾਨਦਾਰ ਸੀ | Bhojan shaandaar see |
| I don’t like spicy food | ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਸਾਲੇਦਾਰ ਭੋਜਨ ਪਸੰਦ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ | Mainu masaaledaar bhojana pasand nahi hai |
| I want to order another food | ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਹੋਰ ਭੋਜਨ ਆਰਡਰ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ | Main ik hor bhojan aaradar karanaa chaundaa haan |
| I don’t like the food | ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖਾਣਾ ਪਸੰਦ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ | Mainu iha khaanaa pasand nahi hai |
| I will pay the bill | ਮੈਂ ਬਿਲ ਪੇ ਕਰਾਂਗਾ | Main bil pay karaangaa |
General Words For Family Members, Friends, And Work
| English | Punjabi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Boy | ਮੁੰਡਾ | Munda |
| Girl | ਕੁੜੀ | Kuri |
| Mother | ਮਾਨ | Maa |
| Father | ਪਿਓ | Pyo |
| Son | ਪੁਤਰ | Putar |
| Daughter | ਧੀ | Dhee |
| Relative | ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇਦਾਰ | Rishtedaar |
| Boss | ਬੌਸ | Boss |
| Employee | ਕਰਮਚਾਰੀ | Karamchaari |
| Coworker | ਸਹਿਕਰਮੀ | Sahikarami |
| Staff | ਸਟਾਫ | Staff |
Getting to know a Punjab family? Why not use these words and phrases to have a deeper connection with them? Check out our blog to know the rest of the Punjabi words used for family and start practicing daily conversations with them now!
20 Punjabi Words And Phrases To Improve Your Vocabulary
- Patola
Literal meaning: A hot or beautiful Punjabi girl
- Khottey de puttar
Literal meaning: Son of a donkey (idiot)
- Geydi
Literal meaning: To wander aimlessly, mostly to check out people of the opposite sex.
- Pind
Literal meaning: Hometown
- Balle balle/ Shaava shaava
Literal meaning: Expression of joy (but for a non-Punjabi, it is a racist way to greet any Punjabi).
- Durr fitteh mun
Literal meaning: May your face burn in hell or keep your face away
- Chak dey phattey
Literal meaning: C’mon or keep it up
- Gabroo jawaan
Literal meaning: A young and well-built Punjabi boy or man
- Kidaan! (Nasal expression)
Literal meaning: Wassup
- Raula
Literal meaning: It means a bad or messed up situation
- Boothi
Literal meaning: Face (mostly this word is used in a sarcastic way)
- Mukk
Literal meaning: Over/finish (means something is finished or come to an end)
- Praah!
Literal meaning: It means brother
- Ghaint
Literal meaning: Awesome, super, or cool
- Rab raakhaan
Literal meaning: God be with you (it’s a Punjabi variant of Khuda Hafiz, which means goodbye)
- Saanu ki?
Literal meaning: Who cares! (An ultimate answer after hours of gossip)
- Siyapa
Literal meaning: Problem
- Changa
Literal meaning: Good or ok
- Jhappi!
Literal meaning: A hug
- Haye o rabba!
Literal meaning: Dramatic way to call or remember God
Where Did The Punjabi Language Come From?
The Punjabi language is classified as one of the members of the Indo-Aryan subgroup of the Indo-European language family. The word Punjabi is derived from Panj-ab, which means “Five Rivers” in Persian and refers to the five main tributaries of the eastern Indus River. Panj means five and ab means water.
Furthermore, the name of the region was presented by the Turkish-Persian conquerors in South Asia. Therefore, it translates the Sanskrit name Panchanada in the area, which means “land of five rivers.”
What Are The Two Common Types Of Punjabi?
Punjab, Pakistan
Punjabi (all dialects) is the first language of 70% of Pakistan’s population. Pakistani Punjabi is also called Lahnda/Western Punjabi. There are many types of Punjabi languages in Lahnda, and sometimes different languages are considered, but they are all named after Lahnda (Western Punjabi). Punjabi is spoken in every province of Pakistan. In Pakistan’s Punjabi, 97% of people speak Punjabi. There are more than 20 Punjabi dialects in Pakistan Punjab, and throughout Pakistan. Majhi dialect is the most uncomplicated dialect in Punjabi.
Punjab, India
2.4% of the Indian population speak Punjabi as their first language. Thus, 87% of Punjabi Indians speak Punjabi as their first language. Indian Punjabi is almost the same as Indian Punjabi, and it is easier to compare with Pakistani Punjabi.
FAQs About Punjabi Words And Phrases
What Does Dasso Mean In Punjabi?
In Punjabi, dasso means “tell” or “say”. It is used to ask someone to provide information or an answer. For example, tusi dasso (ਤੁਸੀਂ ਦੱਸੋ) means “you tell” or “you say.” It is a common imperative form used in conversations.
How To Greet A Sikh?
To greet a Sikh person, you can use the greeting sat sri akaal. The phrase means, “The timeless Truth is the God.” You can use this greeting in formal situations or when meeting elders or people who you respect and revere. To greet your friends, family and peers, you can use the informal greeting kiddaan (wassup) or ki haal hai? (how are you?).
How To Speak Basic Punjabi?
To speak basic Punjabi:
- Learn the Gurmukhi script: Understand the Punjabi alphabet and pronunciation.
- Start with common phrases: Greetings like Sat Sri Akal (Hello) and Ki haal hai? (How are you?).
- Understand basic grammar: Learn Punjabi sentence structure, subject-object-verb order.
- Practice numbers and days: Familiarize with numbers and days of the week.
- Build vocabulary: Learn essential and daily use words for everyday conversations.
- Engage with native speakers: Practice listening and speaking.
- Use language learning resources: Apps like the Ling app that teach you reading, writing, speaking, and pronunciation.
- Watch Punjabi media: Watch Punjabi movies on Netflix, songs on YouTube, and news for immersion.
Speak Like A Punjabi Native!
Learning a second language such as Punjabi with the help of the Ling app is like playing a game, as it is simple and effective. With support for language research, Ling can help you achieve flow in record time. Following are the benefits of using the Ling app for learning Punjabi or any other language:
- Master the language with lots of instructions and a grammar guide.
- Fun mini-games and interesting quizzes can help you quickly master a new language.
- Ling offers exhaustive language courses in rare and lesser known South East Asian, Asian and Eastern European languages. It offers lessons about reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- Practice hundreds of conversations anytime, anywhere. Discuss daily topics with our chatbots.
The goal of these language learning apps is to make language learning as simple, entertaining, and easy to understand as possible. If you would love to learn more, please visit the FAQ page. We promise you that this learning experience will be special and useful to you!
2 Responses
very useful thank you very much
I wish to learn Majhi Punjabi to learn how to do their agriculture.