25+ Simple Punjabi Words To Read: An Easy Guide For Newbies

Good day, learners! Do you know there’s a super cool language called Punjabi? It’s spoken by millions of people, and today, we will learn about some simple Punjabi words to read. Isn’t that exciting?

But wait, why should we learn Punjabi? Well, it’s a fantastic language from the Indo-European language family.

And guess what? Learning new languages is not only fun, but it also helps our brains grow!

In this article, we won’t focus on basic Punjabi words and phrases.

Instead, we’ll concentrate on easy-to-read Punjabi words to help you understand this fantastic language better. Let’s start!

Getting To Know The Punjabi Alphabet: Gurmukhi Script

Before we learn simple Punjabi words, let’s get to know the alphabet! Punjabi uses a script called Gurmukhi. Ready to find out more about it?

Introduction To Gurmukhi Script

Gurmukhi is a unique writing system used mainly for the Punjabi languages (Indian Punjabi and Pakistani Punjabi). It was created by Guru Angad, the second Sikh Guru, in the 16th century. 

Gurmukhi has 35 letters and 9 vowel diacritics, which are little marks that help us know how to pronounce the vowels. Just like we have A, B, and C in English, Gurmukhi has ਕ, ਖ, ਗ, and so on.

Basic Structure And Pronunciation Of Gurmukhi Letters

Now, let’s learn how Gurmukhi letters are structured! Each letter represents a unique sound, just like in English. 

For example, ਕ (ka) is like the “k” sound in “kite,” and ਮ (ma) is like the “m” sound in “moon.” 

Some letters might be a bit tricky, like ਘ (gha), which sounds like a “g” with a little extra air coming out of your mouth. But don’t worry, practice makes perfect!

Tips For Mastering The Punjabi Alphabet

Here are some fun tips to help you remember the Punjabi alphabet:

• Use flashcards: Create flashcards with a Gurmukhi letter on one side and its pronunciation on the other. Shuffle them and practice every day.
  
• Sing along: Find a Gurmukhi alphabet song on YouTube and sing along with it. It’s a fun way to remember the letters and their sounds.
  
• Write it down: Practice writing each letter multiple times. This will help your brain and hands get used to the new shapes.
  
• Find a buddy: If you know someone who’s learning Punjabi, too, practice together! You can quiz each other on the letters and their sounds.

Remember, the key to mastering the Punjabi alphabet is practice, practice, practice! So, keep working on it, and you’ll be reading simple Punjabi words in no time!

Simple Words To Read In The Punjabi Language

Now that we’re familiar with the Punjabi alphabet, let’s learn simple Punjabi words to read! 

These words will help you recognize and read Punjabi text more easily. Are you excited to expand your Punjabi vocabulary?

Basic Punjabi Nouns

1. ਮਾਮਲਾ (maamla) – This means “matter” or “issue.”

• Example: ਇਹ ਮਾਮਲਾ ਹੱਲ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ। (Ih maamla hall karna chaahida hai.) – We need to solve this issue.

2. ਘਰ (ghar) – This means “house” or “home.”

• Example: ਮੇਰਾ ਘਰ ਨਜ਼ਦੀਕ ਹੈ। (Mera ghar nazdeek hai.) – My house is nearby.

3. ਮਿੱਤਰ (mittar) – This means “friend.”

• Example: ਮੇਰਾ ਮਿੱਤਰ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ। (Mera mittar America vich rahinda hai.) – My friend lives in America.

4. ਫੁੱਲ (phull) – This means “flower.”

• Example: ਮੈਨੂੰ ਗੁਲਾਬ ਦੇ ਫੁੱਲ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਸੰਦ ਹਨ। (Mainu gulab de phull bahut pasand han.) – I really like rose flowers.

5. ਬੱਚਾ (baccha) – This means “child.”

• Example: ਉਸ ਦਾ ਬੱਚਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤੀ ਹੈ। (Us da baccha bahut shararti hai.) – Her child is very naughty.

Easy Punjabi Verbs

1. ਖੇਡਣਾ (khedna) – This means “to play.”

• Example: ਮੈਂ ਫੁੱਟਬਾਲ ਖੇਡਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main football khedna chahunda haan.) – I want to play football.

2. ਪੜ੍ਹਣਾ (parhna) – This means “to read” or “to study.”

• Example: ਮੈਂ ਪੁਸਤਕ ਪੜ੍ਹਣੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main pustak parhni shuru karda haan.) – I’m starting to read the book.

3. ਵੇਖਣਾ (vekhna) – This means “to see” or “to watch.”

• Example: ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੋਸਤ ਨੂੰ ਵੇਖਣ ਗਿਆ। (Main apne dost nu vekhn gia.) – I went to see my friend.

4. ਚੱਲਣਾ (challna) – Mostly, this word means “to walk” or “to go.”

• Example: ਮੈਂ ਬਾਜ਼ਾਰ ਚੱਲਣਾ ਹੈ। (Main bazaar challna hai.) – I have to go to the market.

5. ਹੱਸਣਾ (hassna) – This means “to laugh.”

• Example: ਉਹ ਚੁਟਕਲੇ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਹੱਸ ਰਹੀ ਸੀ। (Uh chutkale sun ke hass rahi si.) – She was laughing after hearing the joke.

Easy To Read Punjabi Vocabulary

Let’s expand your Punjabi vocabulary even more! Here are more simple words related to nature, food and drinks, and everyday objects and activities.

Nature-Related Words

1. ਪਟੋਲਾ (patola) – The literal meaning is a beautiful girl.

• Example: ਉਹ ਪਟੋਲਾ ਕੁੜੀ ਹੈ। (Uh patola kudi hai.) – She is a beautiful girl.

2. ਗੇਦੀ (geydi) – The literal meaning is a leisurely stroll.

• Example: ਮੈਂ ਸੁਬਹ ਨੂੰ ਗੇਦੀ ਮਾਰਨ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main subah nu geydi maaran jaanda haan.) – I go for a leisurely stroll in the morning.

3. ਬਾਗ਼ (baagh) – Meaning: garden

• Example: ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਾਗ਼ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੁੱਲ ਲਗਾਉਣਾ ਪਸੰਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main apne baagh vich phull lagaauna pasand karda haan.) – I like planting flowers in my garden.

4. ਪੌਦਾ (pauda) – Meaning: plant

• Example: ਮੇਰੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਪੌਦੇ ਹਨ। (Mere ghar vich bahut saare paude han.) – There are many plants in my house.

5. ਚਿੜੀਆ (chidiaa) – Meaning: birds

• Example: ਚਿੜੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚੰਗਾ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ। (Chidiaan di aawaaz sun ke mainu changa lagda hai.) – I feel good listening to the sound of birds.

Food And Drink-Related Words

1. ਲੱਸੀ (lassi) – Meaning: a yogurt-based drink

• Example: ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਹੈ, ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਲੱਸੀ ਪੀਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹੋ? (Tuhada naan ki hai, ki tusi lassi peena chahunde ho?) – What’s your name, would you like to drink lassi?

2. ਪਰਾਂਠਾ (paratha) – Meaning: a type of stuffed flatbread

• Example: ਸਾਨੂੰ ਕੀ, ਪਰਾਂਠੇ ਖਾਣੇ ਹਨ। (Saanu ki, paranthe khane han.) – No matter what, we have to eat parathas.

3. ਸਮੋਸਾ (samosa) – Meaning: a deep-fried pastry with various fillings

• Example: ਮੇਰੇ ਦੋਸਤ ਨੇ ਸਮੋਸੇ ਖਰੀਦੇ। (Mere dost ne samose khareede.) – My friend bought samosas.

4. ਚਾਹ (chaah) – Meaning: tea

• Example: ਮੈਂ ਰੋਜ਼ਾਨਾ ਦੋ ਵਾਰ ਚਾਹ ਪੀਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main rozana do vaar chaah peenda haan.) – I drink tea twice a day.

5. ਰੋਟੀ (roti) – Meaning: a type of flatbread

• Example: ਮਾਂ ਨੇ ਸੁਆਦੀ ਰੋਟੀ ਬਣਾਈ। (Maa ne suadi roti banai.) – Mom made delicious roti.

Everyday Objects And Activities

1. ਕਿਤਾਬ (kitaab) – Meaning: book

• Example: ਮੈਂ ਇਕ ਨਵੀਂ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਖਰੀਦੀ। (Main ik navi kitaab khareedi.) – I bought a new book.

2. ਬਿਸਤਰਾ (bistara) – Meaning: bed

• Example: ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਬਿਸਤਰੇ ਤੇ ਬੈਠਣਾ ਪਸੰਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main apne bistare te baithna pasand karda haan.) – I like sitting on my bed.

3. ਫ਼ੋਨ (phone) – Meaning: phone

• Example: ਮੇਰਾ ਫ਼ੋਨ ਚਾਰਜ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। (Mera phone charge ho riha hai.) – My phone is charging.

4. ਖੇਡਣਾ (khedna) – Meaning: to play

• Example: ਬੱਚੇ ਬਾਹਰ ਖੇਡਣੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ। (Bacche baahar khedne gaye han.) – The kids have gone outside to play.

5. ਹੱਸਣਾ (hassna) – Meaning: to laugh

• Example: ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਚੁਟਕਲੇ ਤੇ ਹੱਸ ਰਹੀ ਸੀ। (Uh mere chutkale te hass rahi si.) – She was laughing at my joke.

Tips For Practicing Simple Punjabi Words

Getting the hang of simple Punjabi words can be a fun and rewarding experience. To help you out, we’ve got some handy tips for you. 

Check out these strategies to practice and remember these words more effectively:

Use Them In Sentences

Try to create straightforward sentences using the new words you’ve learned. 

This helps you understand how they’re used in context and makes them more memorable. 

For example, if you learned the word “ਘਰ” (ghar) for “house,” you could make a sentence like, “ਮੇਰਾ ਘਰ ਵੱਡਾ ਹੈ।” (Mera ghar vadda hai) – “My house is big.”

Label Objects Around You

Write the Punjabi words on sticky notes and place them on corresponding objects around your home. 

Seeing the words every day will reinforce their meanings and help you remember them. 

For instance, place a sticky note with “ਕਿਤਾਬ” (kitaab or book) on a book or “ਕੁੱਤਾ” (kutta or dog) on a picture of a dog.

Practice With A Friend

If you know someone else learning Punjabi, practice together by quizzing each other on the new words you’ve learned. 

This makes learning more fun and helps you retain the words better by engaging in active recall.

Set Daily Goals

Aim to learn a few new words each day, and review the ones you’ve already learned to ensure they stick in your memory. 

Consistency is key when learning a language, so make it a habit to dedicate time each day to practice and review. Your 15 minutes of daily practice can go a long way!

Learn Simple Punjabi Words To Read With Ling!

As you can see, learning simple Punjabi words to read is exciting, and it opens the door to a vibrant culture. 

With practice and dedication, you’ll soon find yourself reading and speaking Punjabi with ease.

So, are you ready to take your Punjabi language learning to the top? Try the Ling app, one of the best language-learning apps available. 

With engaging lessons, fun quizzes, and a supportive community, this app will help you master Punjabi and 60+ other languages quickly. 

Download the Ling app from Google Play or Apple Store today!