Want to learn some basic Punjabi words and phrases with Ling?
Today, we’ll learn several words and phrases in Punjabi. We’ll start with pronouns and phrases for general conversations, move on to general words and numbers, and finish up with some words and phrases for shopping, restaurants, and family members.
You’ll also find a quick overview of the Punjabi language, plus some useful tips on using the language.
So, get ready to learn some basic Punjabi vocabulary, like asking “What is your name?” which is Tuhaada naam ki hai? (ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਹੈ?)
But first, find out how much you already know by taking our short quiz on Punjabi words and phrases!
Punjabi Words And Phrases Quiz: Test Your Skills!
What Are Some Basic Punjabi Words And Phrases?
Basic Punjabi Words Every Learner Should Know: Pronouns
Pronouns are among the first things you learn when exploring a new language. And 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 (informal)/ you (formal) | ਤੂੰ/ ਤੁਸੀਂ | Tu/ Tusi |
| This | ਇਹ | Eh |
| That | ਉਹ | Oh |
Basic Punjabi Words And Phrases Used In Daily Conversation
Meeting Punjabis is already an amazing experience. 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, you can create mock scenarios with real conversations to memorize Punjabi words faster.
| 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 grammatical concepts in your Punjabi conversations.
Punjabi General Words
Now, these are some simple Punjabi words to understand and memorize. Let’s check them out!
| 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
You’ll probably need to know Punjabi numbers too!
| 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 For Shopping
Going shopping? Here’s some vocabulary to help you out:
| 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
You’ll probably want to go out and taste the delicious Punjabi food at some point. Here’s some vocabulary for restaurants:
| 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
Getting to know a Punjabi 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!
| 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 |
20 More Punjabi Words And Phrases To Improve Your Vocabulary
Want to learn more? Here are some extra words and phrases to improve your Punjabi vocabulary:
- Patola (ਪਤੋਲਾ)
Literal meaning: A hot or beautiful Punjabi girl. - Khottey de puttar (ਖੋਤੇ ਦੇ ਪੁੱਤਰ)
Literal meaning: Son of a donkey (idiot). - Geydi (ਗੇਡੀ)
Literal meaning: To wander aimlessly, mostly to check out people of the opposite sex. - Pind (ਪਿੰਡ)
Literal meaning: Hometown. - Balle balle/ Shaava shaava (ਬੱਲੇ ਬੱਲੇ / ਸ਼ਾਵਾ ਸ਼ਾਵਾ)
Literal meaning: Expression of joy (but for a non-Punjabi, it is a racist way to greet any Punjabi). - Durr fitteh mun (ਦੁਰ ਫਿੱਟੇ ਮੁੰਹ)
Literal meaning: May your face burn in hell or keep your face away. - Chak dey phattey (ਚੱਕ ਦੇ ਫੱਟੇ)
Literal meaning: C’mon or keep it up. - Gabroo jawaan (ਗੱਭਰੂ ਜਵਾਨ)
Literal meaning: A young and well-built Punjabi boy or man. - Kidaan! (Nasal expression) (ਕਿਦਾਂ!)
Literal meaning: Wassup. - Raula (ਰੌਲਾ)
Literal meaning: It means a bad or messed-up situation. - Boothi (ਬੂਥੀ)
Literal meaning: Face (mostly this word is used in a sarcastic way). - Mukk (ਮੁੱਕ)
Literal meaning: Over/finish (means something is finished or come to an end). - Praah! (ਪਰਾਹ!)
Literal meaning: It means brother. - Ghaint (ਘੈਂਟ)
Literal meaning: Awesome, super, or cool. - Rab raakhaan (ਰੱਬ ਰਾਖਾਂ)
Literal meaning: God be with you (it’s a Punjabi variant of Khuda Hafiz, which means goodbye). - Saanu ki? (ਸਾਨੂੰ ਕੀ?)
Literal meaning: Who cares! (An ultimate answer after hours of gossip). - Siyapa (ਸਿਆਪਾ)
Literal meaning: Problem. - Changa (ਚੰਗਾ)
Literal meaning: Good or ok. - Jhappi! (ਝੱਪੀ!)
Literal meaning: A hug. - Haye o rabba! (ਹਾਏ ਓ ਰੱਬਾ!)
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 Punjab, 97% of people speak Punjabi.
There are more than 20 Punjabi dialects in Pakistan Punjab, and throughout Pakistan. The Majhi dialect is the most uncomplicated dialect in Punjabi.
Punjab, India
2.4% of the Indian population speaks Punjabi as their first language. And 87% of Punjabi Indians speak Punjabi as their first language. Indian Punjabi is easier to compare with Pakistani Punjabi.
Tips To Speak Basic Punjabi
Wondering how to speak basic Punjabi? Here are some handy tips:
- 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 in Punjabi 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.
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 Do You 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 whom 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?).
What Are Some Punjabi Slangs?
Punjabi slang has some of the most fun and quirky terms that you can learn to have fun with the Punjabi language. Here are some listed below:
• How are you? – Ki haal chaal? (ਕੀ ਹਾਲ ਚਾਲ?)
• A beautiful girl – Patola (ਪਟੋਲਾ)
• Go for it / Give it your best shot! – Chakk de phatte (ਚੱਕ ਦੇ ਫੱਟੇ)
• Someone with nothing to do – Vella (ਵੇਲਾ)
• Going on a leisurely drive or hangout – Gedi (ਗੇਡੀ)
• Picking a fight or messing around – Panga (ਪੰਗਾ)
• A strong or handsome young man – Gabru (ਗਭਰੂ)
• Chaos or drama – Raula (ਰੌਲਾ)
• A troublesome or messy situation – Siyapa (ਸਿਆਪਾ)
• Style or attitude – Tashan (ਟਸ਼ਨ)
Wrapping Up Punjabi Words And Phrases
So, in this article, we learned basic Punjabi words and phrases to use in daily conversations, Punjabi numbers, and phrases for shopping and ordering at restaurants.
We also learned Punjabi pronouns and family-related vocabulary. Maybe you can retake our quiz and see how much you’ve improved?
Punjabi words and phrases like Ki haal chaal (ਕੀ ਹਾਲ ਚਾਲ? – How are you?) or Sat sri akaal (ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ – Good evening) are important for you to forge a quick connection with Punjabi speakers. They help you ease into the conversation and strike a warm chord, so make sure to practice them often!
Speak Like A Punjabi Native!
Learning a second language, such as Punjabi, with the help of the Ling app is like playing a game: simple and effective.
The app is designed to make language learning easy and fun. Here are some of the features you’ll find when learning Punjabi (and other languages!):
- Master the language with native speaker audio and short grammar notes.
- Fun mini-games and interesting quizzes that 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.
- Find lessons that focus on all language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- Practice conversations anytime, anywhere with our Dialog feature.
- And much more!
The goal is to make language learning as simple, entertaining, and easy as possible.
So download the Ling app on your phone or tablet and start your language learning journey today!
