Logo Voyage

Punjabi phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

You can check the original Wikivoyage article Here

    Where Punjabi/Panjabi is primarily spoken

    Punjabi/Panjabi (Pakistan: پنجابی; India: ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) is the language of the Punjab/Panjab regions of Pakistan and India. In India, it is written predominantly in the native Gurmukhi alphabet. In Pakistan, it is written in a slightly modified version of the Urdu alphabet called Shahmukhi.

    Alphabet

    [edit]

    Gurmukhi

    [edit]

    Gurmukhi is an Indic script predominantly used in present-day Punjab, India

    ਵਿਅੰਜਨ (Vi'anjan) Consonants

    [edit]

    The Gurmukhi script is also called “Painti” (ਪੈਂਤੀ) because historically, it had a total of 35 letters. (In Punjabi, the number 35 is called “painti”). These 35 base letters are divided into seven rows and each row has five characters. 6 additional letters that are used to differentiate borrowed words from other languages. The first three letters of the script, ੳ, ਅ and ੲ, are vowel letters. Only ਅ (“a”) can be used alone in a word without any vowel accents. The other two vowel letters, ੳ (“u”) and ੲ (“e”), must always be used with a vowel accent. The original 35

    ਓੂੜਾ ūṛā 'o' as in room ਐੜਾ æṛa 'a' as in hat ਈੜੀ iṛi 'e' as in energy ਸੱਸਾ səsa 's' as in same ਹਾਹਾ haa'haa 'h' as in home
    ਕੱਕਾ kəka 'k' as in Kate ਖੱਖਾ kha'khaa 'kh' as in khaki ਗੱਗਾ gəga 'g' as in God ਘੱਘਾ kəga 'gh' as in ghost ਙੰਙਾ ngənga 'ng' as in England
    ਚੱਚਾ chəcha 'ch' as in change ਛੱਛਾ chha'chhaa 'ch' as in cheddarmore ਜੱਜਾ jəja 'j' as in Japan ਝੱਝਾ jha'jhaa No English equivalent. Start with J and end immediately with H ਞੰਞਾ neiia antiquated (not commonly used anymore)
    ਟੈਂਕਾ ṭenka 't' as in Tom ਠੱਠਾ tha'thaa harder 'th' as in river Thames ਡੱਡਾ ḍəḍa 'd' as in daddy ਢੱਢਾ ṭə'ḍa hard double 'dd', harder "dd" than sudder ਣਾਣਾ ṇa'ṇa Pronounced like English 'n' with tip of tongue upwards touching palette of mouth
    ਤੱਤਾ təta softer unaspirated 't' as in Tim ਥੱਥਾ tha'thaa 'th' as in Thailand ਦੱਦਾ dəda softer 'th' as in then ਧੱਧਾ dha'dha stressed 'th' seventh ਨੱਨਾ nəna n' as in name
    ਪੱਪਾ pəpa 'p' as in papa ਫੱਫਾ pha'phaa 'ph' as in philosopher ਬੱਬਾ bəba 'b' as in baby ਭੱਭਾ bhabha No English equivalent, more like 'bha' combined together ਮੱਮਾ məma 'm' as in mother
    ਯੱਯਾ yaiya 'y' as in yellow ਰਾਰਾ rara 'r' as in run ਲੱਲਾ ləla 'l' as in lake ਵੱਵਾ vava 'v' as in Victor ੜਾੜਾ ṛaṛa 'rr' hard double r


    Additional 6 new letters used for borrowed words from Persian and other foreign languages: They are created by placing a dot ਬਿੰਦੀ (bindī) at the foot of the consonant. These dot symbol at the bottom of the consonants represent borrowed sound of foreign words.

    ਸ਼ ਸੱਸਾ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਬਿੰਦੀ Sassa paer bindi 'Sh' as in shade ਖ਼ ਖੱਖਾ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਬਿੰਦੀ Khakha paer bindi 'Kh' as in khaki ਗ਼ ਗੱਗਾ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਬਿੰਦੀ Ghagga paer bindi 'Gh' as in ghoul ਜ਼ ਜੱਜਾ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਬਿੰਦੀ Jajja paer bindi 'Z' as in zebra ਫ਼ ਫੱਫਾ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਬਿੰਦੀ Phapha paer bindi 'ph' as in philosopher ਲ਼ ਲੱਲਾ ਪੈਰੀਂ ਬਿੰਦੀ Lalla paer bindi 'l' as in land


    ਲਗਾਂ ਮਾਤਰਾ (lagān mātarā) Vowels

    [edit]

    There are 10 vowels in Gurmukhi script. Independent vowels are constructed using three bearer characters: ūṛā (ੳ), aiṛā (ਅ) and īṛī (ੲ). With the exception of aiṛā (which represents the vowel [ə]), the bearer consonants are never used without additional vowel signs.

    Gurmukhi vowels Name IPA
    Ind. Dep. Example with /k/ Letter Unicode
    (none) Muktā ਮੁਕਤਾ a (IPA: [ə]) like 'a' in about
    ਕਾ Kannā ਕੰਨਾ ā (IPA: [ɑ]) like 'a' in car
    ਿ ਕਿ Sihā̀rī ਸਿਹਾਰੀ I (IPA: [ɪ]) like 'i' in sit
    ਕੀ Bihā̀rī ਬਿਹਾਰੀ ī (ee) (IPA: [i]) like 'i in elite
    ਕੁ auṅkarṛ ਔਂਕੜ u (IPA: [ʊ]) like 'u' in put
    ਕੂ Dulaiṅkaṛ ਦੁਲੈਂਕੜ ū (oo) (IPA: [u]) like 'u' in spruce
    ਕੇ Lāvā̃ ਲਾਵਾਂ ai (IPA: [e]) like 'e' in Mail
    ਕੈ Dulāvā̃ ਦੁਲਾਵਾਂ ē (IPA: [ɛː]~[əɪ]) like 'a' in app
    ਕੋ Hoṛā ਹੋੜਾ o (IPA: [o]) like 'o' in more
    ਕੌ Kanauṛā ਕਨੌੜਾ au (IPA: [ɔ]) like 'o' in off

    Shahmukhi

    [edit]

    Western Punjabi is based on the Shahmukhi script. Shahmukhi uses the alphabets of the Perso-Arabic Urdu script with some extra characters added. Here are the 36 letters of Shahmukhi. Each has a name that is given below the alphabet with the equivalent English sound of the alphabet in (parenthesis).

    For pronunciation and use of an individual alphabet, click on the specific alphabet in the table below. Remember that Punjabi in Pakistan is a right-to-left language so you have to start reading from right, right!

    Table 1: Shahmukhi alphabets with their name below and English equivalent in (parenthesis).
    آ ا ب پ ت ٹ ث ج چ ح
    Alif (a) Bay (b) Pay (p) tey (t) Tey (T) sey (s) Jiim (j) chey (ch) Hey (H)
    خ د ڈ ذ ر ڑ ز ژ س
    Khey (Kh) daal (d) Daal (D) zaal (z) rey (r) Rey (R) zey (z) zhey (zh) siin (s)
    ش ص ض ط ظ ع غ ف ق
    shiin (sh) Suad (S) Zuad (Z) toy (t) zoy (z) ain (a) Ghain (Gh) fey (f) qaaf (q)
    ک گ ل م ن و ہ ی ے
    kaaf (k) gaaf (g) laam (l) miim (m) noon (n) wao (w,v) hey (h) yei (y) Yei (Y)


    Numerals
    Latin script 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
    Gurmukhi (Indian) Punjabi script
    Shahmukhi script ۰ ۱ ۲ ۳ ۴ ۵ ۶ ۷ ۸ ۹

    Pronunciation guide

    [edit]

    Vowels

    [edit]

    Consonants

    [edit]

    Common diphthongs

    [edit]

    Phrase list

    [edit]
    • There are many dialects of Punjabi throughout India and Pakistan, and these phrases may differ from area to area, but here are the phrases in standard Punjabi:
    Common signs


    OPEN
    (ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹਾ khulha)
    CLOSED
    (ਬੰਦ band)
    ENTRANCE
    (ਦਾਖਲਾ daakhla)
    EXIT
    (ਬਾਹਰ bahar)
    PUSH
    (ਧੱਕੋ dhakko)
    PULL
    (ਖਿੱਚੋ khicho)
    BATHROOM
    (ਗੁਸਲਖਾਨਾ gusalkhana)
    MEN
    (pursh) ... Sikh's use ਮਰਦਾਂ ਵਾਸਤੇ (Mardān vastē (for men) or ਮਰਦਾਨਾ (Maradānā (men)
    WOMEN
    (mahilaa) ... Sikh's use ਬੀਬੀਆਂ (Bībīyan (women) or ਬੀਬੀਆਂ ਵਾਸਤੇ (Bībīyan vastē (for women)
    FORBIDDEN
    (ਵਰਜਤ/ਮਨ੍ਹਾਂ varjat/manhan)

    Basics

    [edit]

    Note: Typically, religious salutations are used as there are no specific greetings that are shared among Muslim, Hindu and Sikh Punjabi-speakers.

    Greetings are religious based salutations
    Hindu Muslim Sikh
    Good morning Namaste Asalam walaykum Sat Sri Akaal ji ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਜੀ
    Good afternoon Namaste Asalam walaykum Sat Sri Akaal ji ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਜੀ
    Good evening Namaste Asalam walaykum Sat Sri Akaal ji ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਜੀ
    Good night Namaste Salaam Sat Sri Akaal ji ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਜੀ
    Goodbye Namaste Salaam Sat Sri Akaal ji ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਜੀ
    Hello Namaste Salaam Sat Sri Akaal ji ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਜੀ
    Sikh
    if they are baptized ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਦੀ ਫਤਹਿ ( Waheguru Jee Ka Khalsa Waheguru Jee Ki Fateh) is used.
    Muslim
    Asalaam-walaykum is replied by Walaykum-salaam
    English Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    Hello (informal) ਹੈਲੋ hello تہاڈا کی حال اے
    See you later ਫੇਰ ਮਿਲਦੇ ਆ fer milde a ...
    How are you? (formal) ਤੁਸੀ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ? Tusī kivē hoo? ...
    How are you? (informal) ਕਿੱਦਾਂ Kidahn ...
    thank you ਧੰਨਵਾਦ Tanvad(India) Tanvad(Indian Panjabi)/ Shukaran(Pakistani Panjabi) تہاڈا شکریہ Shukaran (Pakistan)
    You're welcome ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਸਵਾਗਤ ਹੈ tuhada swagat hai ...
    OK/fine ਠੀਕ ਹੈ Theek hai ٹھیک اے
    What is your name? ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾ ਕੀ ਹੈਗਾ? Tuhada naam kee hai? تہاڈا ناں کی اے
    My name is ___. ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾ ______ ਹੈ। merra na _____ hai.. ...
    Nice to meet you ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਕੇ ਚੰਗਾ ਲਗਿਆ। Tuhānū milke changā lagye تہاڈے نال مل کے خوشی ہوئی
    Please ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ kirpa karke ...
    Yes ਹਾਂ Han
    Yes please ਹਾਂਜੀ han ji ...
    No/not ਨਹੀਂ nahee ...
    No thank you ਨਆ ਜਈ Nā ji
    Do you speak English? ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਬੋਲਣਾ ਜਾਣਦੇ ਹੋ? Kī tusīn agarēzī bōlaṇā jāṇdē hō? ...
    Is there someone here who speaks English? ਕੀ ਇੱਥੇ ਕੋਈ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਬੋਲਣਾ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਹੈ? Kī ithē kō'ī ajihā hai jō agarēzī bōlaṇā jāṇda hai? ...
    I don't speak Punjabi. ਮੈਂਨੂ 'ਪੰਜਾਬੀ' ਬੋਲਨੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਂਦੀ। Mainnū'panjābī' bōlanī nahī āndī ...
    I can't speak Punjabi well ਮੈਂਨੂ 'ਪੰਜਾਬੀ' ਚੰਗੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਬੋਲਨੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਂਦੀ। Mainnū'panjābī' changī tarān bōlanī nahī āndī ...
    I speak some/a little Punjabi ਮੈਂ ਥੋੜੀ ਜਿਹੀ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹਾਂ। Main thōṛī jihī panjābī bōladā hān ...
    I don't understand. ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਂਦੀ। Mainū samaj nahī āndī ...
    Speak more slowly ਹੋਰ ਹੌਲੀ-ਹੌਲੀ ਬੋਲੋ Hōr haulī-haulī bōlō ...
    again? ਮੁੜ ਕੇ? Murr ke? ...
    What does "..." mean? "..." ਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਕੀ ਹੈ? "..." Dā matalab kī hai? "..."
    How do you say "..."? ਤੁਸੀਂ "..." ਕਿਵੇਂ ਕਹਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ? Tusīn"..." Kivē kahidē hō? ...
    Where are you from? ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿੱਥੋਂ ਦੇ ਹੋ? Tusīn kithōn dē hō? ...
    I'm from ... ਮੈਂ ... ਤੋਂ ਹਾਂ Maim ... tōn hā ...
    You're welcome ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਸਵਾਗਤ ਹੈ Tuhāḍā swagat hai ...
    Doesn't matter/No Matter/No worries ਕੋਈ ਗਲ ਨਹੀਂ। koi gal nahi ...
    Excuse me (getting someone's attention) ਗੱਲ ਸੁਣੋ gaal suṇō ...
    Pardon me/I'm sorry ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ। māaf karana ...
    Where is the toilet? ਬਾਥਰੂਮ / ਟਾਇਲਟ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ? bathroom/toilet kithay way? ...
    Good, really? nice, etc. ਚੰਗਾ! ਸੱਚਮੁੱਚ? ਵਧੀਆ Changā! Sachamuch?, Vadhī'ā ...
    What is the problem? ਸਮੱਸਿਆ ਕੀ ਹੈ? Samasi'ā kī hai? ...
    Help! ਮਦਦ ਕਰੋ! madat karo! ...
    Look ahead! ਅੱਗੇ ਵੇਖੋ! Agēy vēkhō! ...

    Numerals/Numbers ਗਿਣਤੀ (Giṇtī)

    [edit]

    Punjabi has its own set of digits, which function exactly as in other versions of the Hindu–Arabic numeral system. These are used extensively in older texts. In modern contexts, they are sometimes replaced by standard Western Arabic numerals. (Gurmukhi numbers are in parentheses)

    Numeral Cardinal Ordinal ----- Numeral Cardinal
    0 (੦) ਸਿਫ਼ਰ (Sifar) - 30 (੩੦) ਤੀਹ (tīh)
    1 (੧) ਇੱਕ (ekk) ਪਹਲਾ (peahlā) 40 (੪੦) ਚਾਲੀ (chālī)
    2 (੨) ਦੋ (do) ਦੂਜਾ (Dūjjā) 50 (੫੦) ਪੰਜਾਹ (panjāh)
    3 (੩) ਤਿੱਨ (tinn) ਤੀਜਾ (Tījā) 60 (੬੦) ਸੱਠ (saṭhṭh)
    4 (੪) ਚਾਰ (chār) ਚੌਥਾ (cauthā) 70 (੭੦) ਸੱਤਰ (sattar)
    5 (੫) ਪੰਜ (punj) ਪੰਜਵਾਂ (pajvān) 80 (੮੦) ਅੱਸੀ (assī)
    6 (੬) ਛੇ (che) ਛੇਵਾਂ (chēvān) 90 (੯੦) ਨੱਬੇ (nabbe)
    7 (੭) ਸੱਤ (satt) ਸੱਤਵਾਂ (satvān) 100 (੧੦੦) ਸੌ (sau)
    8 (੮) ਅੱਠ (aṭh) ਅੱਠਵਾਂ (aṭhvān) 200 ਦੋ ਸੌ (Dō sau)
    9 (੯) ਨੌੰ (nau) ਨੌਂਵਾਂ (nauvān) 300 ਤਿੰਨ ਸੌ (Tina sau)
    10 (੧੦) ਦੱਸ (das) ਦਸਵਾਂ (dasvān) 1000 ਇੱਕ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ (Ik hazār)
    11 (੧੧) ਗਿਆਰਾਂ (giārān) ਗਆਿਰਵਾਂ (giā̔rvāṁ) 2000 ਦੋ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ (Dō hazār)
    12 (੧੨) ਬਾਰਾਂ (bārān) ਬਾਰਵਾਂ (bārvān) 10,000 ਦਸ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ (Das hazār)
    13 (੧੩) ਤੇਰਾਂ (tērān) ਤੇਰ੍ਹਵਾਂ (tērhvān) 1,00,000 ਇੱਕ ਲੱਖ (Ik Lakh)
    14 (੧੪) ਚੌਦਾਂ (chaudān) ਚੌਦਵਾਂ (chaudvān) 10,00,000 ਦਸ ਲੱਖ (Dus Lakh)
    15 (੧੫) ਪੰਦਰਾਂ (pandrān) ਪੰਦਰਵਾਂ (pandarvān) 1,00,00,000 ਇੱਕ ਕਰੋੜ (Ik karor)
    16 (੧੬) ਸੋਲ਼ਾਂ (sōḷān) ਸੋਲ਼ਵਾਂ (sōḻvān) 10,00,00,000 ਦਸ ਕਰੋੜ (das karor)
    17 (੧੭) ਸਤਾਰਾਂ (satārān) ਸਤਾਰਵਾਂ (satārvān) 1,00,00,00,000 ਇੱਕ ਅਰਬ (Ik arab), one billion in USA
    18 (੧੮) ਅਠਾਰਾਂ (aṭhārān) ਅਠਾਰਵਾਂ (aṭhārvān) 10,00,00,00,000 ਦਸ ਅਰਬ (das arab)
    19 (੧੯) ਉਨੀ (unnī) ਉਨੀਵਾਂ (unīvān) 1,00,00,00,00,000 ਇੱਕ ਖਰਬ (Ik kharab)
    20 (੨੦) ਵੀਹ (vīh) ਵੀਹਵਾਂ (vīhvāhn) 10,00,00,00,00,000 ਦਸ ਖਰਬ (Dus kharab), one trillion in USA
    number _____ (train, bus, etc.)
    (ਰੇਲ, ਬੱਸ, ) ਨੰਬਰ _____ (rēl, bas,)numbar _____
    half
    ਅੱਧਾ (Adhā)
    less
    ਘੱਟ (Ghaṭ)
    more
    ਹੋਰ (Hōr)

    Date and Time (Mitī atē samān ਮਿਤੀ ਅਤੇ ਸਮਾਂ)

    [edit]

    Date is called "mitee" ਮਿਤੀ and is written in the 00-MM-YYYY and 00/MMNYYY format. Time is also called waqt / vela / sama (ਵਕਤ / ਵੇਲਾ / ਸਮਾਂ) in the Punjabi language and is usually denoted by seconds, minutes, and hours. The 12-hour notation is widely used in daily life, written communication, and is used in spoken language. The 24-hour notation is used in rare situations where there would be widespread ambiguity. Examples include railway timetables, plane departure and landing timings. A colon is used to separate hours, minutes and seconds (for example 10:00:15).

    English Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    now ਹੁਣ Huṇ ...
    later ਬਾਅਦ ਵਿੱਚ Bā'ad vich ...
    before ਪਹਿਲਾਂ Pahilān ...
    morning ਸਵੇਰ Svēr ...
    afternoon ਦੁਪਹਿਰ Dupahēr ...
    evening ਸ਼ਾਮ shām ...
    night ਰਾਤ rāt ...
    Any day in the future ਅੱਜ ਭਲਕ Ajj bhalk ...

    What time is it?

    [edit]

    What time is it? can be asked in few ways. ਕਿੰਨੇ ਵਜੇ? (Kinē vaje), ਕੀ ਵਕਤ / ਵੇਲਾ / ਸਮਾਂ ਹੋਇਆ? (ki waqt / vela / sama hoya?), ਸਮਾਂ ਕੀ ਆ? (Samā ki aa)

    Clock time Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    morning ਸਵੇਰ sver ...
    one o'clock (when AM/PM is obvious) ਇੱਕ ਵਜੇ ik vje ...
    two o'clock (when AM/PM is obvious) ਦੋ ਵਜੇ do vje ...
    one o'clock AM ਸਵੇਰ ਦੇ ਇੱਕ ਵਜੇ ਹਨ sver de ik vje han ...
    two o'clock AM ਸਵੇਰ ਦੇ ਦੋ ਵਜੇ ਹਨ sver de do vje han ...
    noon / mid-day 12:00 PM ਦੁਪਹਿਰ dopehar ...
    one o'clock PM ਦੁਪਹਿਰ ਦੇ ਇੱਕ ਵਜੇ ਹਨ dopehar de ik vje han ...
    two o'clock PM ਦੁਪਹਿਰ ਦੇ ਦੋ ਵਜੇ ਹਨ dopehar de do vje han ...
    evening ਸ਼ਾਮ sham ...
    four o'clock PM ਸ਼ਾਮ ਦੇ ਚਾਰ ਵਜੇ ਹਨ sham de char vaje han ...
    9 PM ਰਾਤ ਦੇ ਨੌੰ ਵਜੇ ਹਨ raat de nau vaje han ...
    night ਰਾਤ rāt ...
    midnight 12:00 AM ਅੱਧੀ ਰਾਤ ādhī rāt ...

    Vernacular Punjabi uses some specific words which are widely used in the countryside, many folks in the cities either don't know it or don't use it.

    early morning (4-6am)
    ਸਾਝਰੇ or ਤੜਕੇ (Sajhre / tadke)
    around 5pm
    ਲੌਢੇ ਵੇਲਾ (Laudhe Vela)
    Evening
    ਤਕਾਲਾਂ (takalan)
    late
    ਕੁਵੇਲਾ (Kuvela)

    Duration (miaad ਮਿਆਦ )

    [edit]

    Duration of time in Punjabi.

    Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    second ਸਕਿੰਟ sakint ...
    minute ਮਿੰਟ minṭ ...
    hour ਘੰਟਾ (singular), ਘੰਟੇ (plural) ghanṭa (singular), Ghanṭē (plural) ...
    day ਦਿਨ din ...
    week ਹਫਤਾ (singular), ਹਫ਼ਤੇ (plural) hafta (singular), Hafatē (plural) ...
    month ਮਹਿਨਾ (singular) ਮਹੀਨੇ (plural) maheena (singular) Mahīnē (plural) ...
    year ਸਾਲ sāal ...
    century ਸਦੀ Sadī ...
    _____ second(s)
    _____ ਸਕਿੰਟ (sakint)
    _____ minute(s)
    _____ ਮਿੰਟ(mint)
    _____ hour(s)
    _____ ਘੰਟਾ (ghunta (singular), _____ਘੰਟੇ (Ghanṭē (plural)
    _____ day(s)
    _____ ਦਿਨ (din)
    _____ week(s)
    _____ ਹਫਤਾ (_____ hafta (singular), _____ਹਫ਼ਤੇ (Hafatē (plural)
    _____ month(s)
    _____ ਮਹਿਨਾ (maheena (singular) _____ਮਹੀਨੇ (Mahīnē (plural)
    _____ year(s)
    _____ ਸਾਲ (saal)

    Days ਦਿਨ

    [edit]
    Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    Sunday ਐਤਵਾਰर aitwar ...
    Monday ਸੋਮਵਾਰ somwar ...
    Tuesday ਮੰਗਲਵਾਰ mangalwar ...
    Wednesday ਬੁੱਧਵਾਰ budhwar ...
    Thursday ਵੀਰਵਾਰ veerwar ...
    Friday ਸ਼ੁੱਕਰਵਾਰ shukarwar ...
    Saturday ਸਨਿੱਚਰਵਾਰ sanicherwar ...

    Depending on context/tense these words are understood by native speaker.

    Yesterday / tomorrow
    both have same word ਕੱਲ੍ਹ (Kal'h), the meaning is understood in the sentence.
    Day after tomorrow / day before yesterday
    both have same word ਪਰਸੋਂ (Parsōṅ) the meaning is understood in the sentence.
    Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    Today ਅੱਜ ājj ...
    Yesterday / Tomorrow ਕੱਲ੍ਹ Kal'h ...
    Day after tomorrow ਪਰਸੋਂ Parsōṅ ...
    day before yesterday ਪਰਸੋਂ Parsōṅ ...
    Week ਹਫਤਾ (singular), ਹਫ਼ਤੇ (plural) hafta (singular), Hafatē (plural) ...
    one week ਇੱਕ ਹਫ਼ਤਾ Ik hafta ...
    This week ਇਸ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ iss hafte ...
    Last week ਪਿਛਲੇ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ pichle hafte ...
    Next week ਅਗਲੇ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ agle hafte ...
    Two weeks ਦੋ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ do hafte ...
    Month ਮਹਿਨਾ (singular) ਮਹੀਨੇ (plural) maheena (singular) Mahīnē (plural) ...

    Months ਮਹੀਨੇ / ਮਾਹ (Mahīnē / Maah)

    [edit]
    The following are the months of the Vernacular calendar. The vernacular calendar is in the lunar system. Its a very important part of Panjab. About 13th April is the new year in Punjabi calendar.


    ਵੈਸਾਖ (Vaisakh)
    (Mid April – Mid May)
    ਜੇਠ (Jeth)
    (Mid May – Mid June)
    ਹਾੜ (Harh)
    (Mid June – Mid July)
    ਸਾਉਣ (Saaun)
    (Mid July – Mid August)
    ਭਾਦੋਂ (Bhadon)
    (Mid August – Mid September)
    ਅੱਸੂ (Assu)
    (Mid September – Mid October)
    ਕੱਤਕ (Katak)
    (Mid October – Mid November)
    ਮੱਘਰ (Maghar)
    (Mid November – Mid December)
    ਪੋਹ (Poh)
    (Mid December – Mid January)
    ਮਾਘ (Magh)
    (Mid January – Mid February)
    ਫੱਗਣ (Phuagun)
    (Mid February – Mid March)
    ਚੇਤ (Chet)
    (Mid March – Mid April)

    The Western (Gregorian) calendar is used for day to day and business affairs.

    English Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    January ਜਨਵਰੀ janvarī ...
    February ਫਰਵਰੀ farvarī ...
    March ਮਾਰਚ mārch ...
    April ਅਪ੍ਰੈਲ aprail ...
    May ਮਈ maī ...
    June ਜੂਨ jūn ...
    July ਜੁਲਾਈ julāī ...
    August ਅਗਸਤ agast ...
    September ਸਤੰਬਰ sitambar ...
    October ਅਕਤੂਬਰ aktūbar ...
    November ਨਵੰਬਰ navambar ...
    December ਦਿਸੰਬਰ disambar ...

    Colors (rang ਰੰਗ)

    [edit]
    Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    color ਰੰਗ rang ...
    colorful ਰੰਗਦਾਰ Rang'dār ...
    colorless ਬੇਰੰਗਾ beranga ...
    black ਕਾਲਾ kālā ...
    white ਚਿੱਟਾ chiṭ'āh ...
    red ਰੱਤਾ / ਲਾਲ Rattaa/lāl ...
    pink/rosy ਗੁਲਾਬੀ gulābī ...
    orange ਸੰਤਰੀ santarī ...
    saffron ਕੇਸਰੀ kesarī ...
    yellow ਪੀਲਾ peela ...
    green ਸਾਵਾ / ਹਰਾ Saava/harā ...
    blue ਨੀਲਾ neelā ...
    turquoise ਫਿਰੋਜ਼ੀ firozī ...
    purple ਜਾਮਨੀ jāmnī ...
    brown ਭੂਰਾ bhūrā ...
    gray ਸਲੇਟੀ salēṭī ...
    shiny ਚਮਕੀਲਾ chamkeelā ...
    deep/dark ਗੂੜਾ gūṛrā ...
    pale/light ਫਿੱਕਾ / ਹਲਕਾ fikā/halkā ...

    Transportation (Āvā jā'ī ਆਵਾਜਾਈ)

    [edit]
    Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    Train ਰੇਲਗੱਡੀ relgāddī ...
    Train Station ਰੇਲਗੱਡੀ ਟੇਸ਼ਨ railway sṭeśan ...
    Bus ਬੱਸ bas ...
    Bus Station ਬੱਸ ਅੱਡਾ bas aḍḍa ...
    Bus stop ਬੱਸ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਖੜਦੀ ਏ? bas kithē khardi ai? ...
    Airplane ਹਵਾਈ ਜਹਾਜ਼ havā'ī jaāz ...
    airport ਹਵਾਈ ਅੱਡਾ Havā'ī adḍā ...
    Taxi ਟੈਕਸੀ ṭaiksī ...
    Auto Rickshaw ਆਟੋ āṭō ...
    Rickshaw ਰਿਕਸ਼ਾ rik'śhā ...
    Bicycle ਸਾਈਕਲ Sā'īkal ...
    car ਗੱਡੀ gad'ḍī ...


    Bus and train (Bas atē rēlgad'ḍī ਬੱਸ ਅਤੇ ਰੇਲਗੱਡੀ)

    [edit]

    Gender ending is always either masculine -a or feminine .

    Gender of speaker
    Certain words have different endings depending on your gender. If you are a man, say these with an -a suffix, and if you're a woman, suffix. Example: - I want to rent a car. ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਕਾਰ ਕਿਰਾਏ ਤੇ ਲੈਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ(male) / ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀ(female) ਹਾਂ। (...Main ek car kiraye te laiṇā chāhun'dā(male) / chāhun'dī(female) hān)
    Gender of things
    Certain things are either masculine or feminine. they have different endings depending on the gender, for masculine things ending -a suffix, for feminine things ending suffix. this will only come with the usage and practice of Punjabi language. Example: - 1) That's too expensive. ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਹਿੰਗਾ(masculine) / ਮਹਿੰਗੀ(feminine) ਹੈ (eh tan bahut mehnga (masculine)/ mehngi (feminine) hai). 2) How much is this? ਇਹ ਕਿੱਨੇ ਦਾ(masculine) /ਦੀ(feminine) ਹੈ? (ih kinnē dā (masculine) / di (feminine) hai?)
    Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    How much is a ticket to ___? ___ ਦੀ ਟਿਕਟ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਦੀ ਹੈ? __ dī ticket kinne dee hai? ...
    One ticket to ___, please ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ,___ ਦੀ ਇੱਕ ਟਿਕਟ। Kirapā karakē, ___ dī ik ticket ...
    Where does this train/bus go? ਇਹ ਰੇਲਗੱਡੀ/ਬੱਸ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਏ? Eh rēlgad'ḍī/bus kithe jandi hai? ...
    Where is the train/bus to ___? ___ ਲਈ ਰੇਲਗੱਡੀ/ਬੱਸ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਏ? ___ vaste rēlgad'ḍī/bus kithe khardi hai? ...
    Does this train/bus stop in ___? ਕੀ ਇਹ ਰੇਲਗੱਡੀ/ਬੱਸ ___ ਖੜਦੀ ਏ? Kee eh rēlgad'ḍī/bus___ khardi hai? ...
    When does the train/bus for ___ leave? ___ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਰੇਲਗੱਡੀ/ਬੱਸ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਵਜੇ ਨਿਕਲਦੀ ਏ? ___ vaste rēlgad'ḍī/bus kinne vaje nikaldi hai? ...
    When will this train/buss arrive in ___? ਇਹ ਰੇਲਗੱਡੀ/ਬੱਸ _____ ਕਦੋਂ ਪਹੁੰਚੇਗੀ ? Eh rēlgad'ḍī/bus____kadon pohnche gee? ...

    Directions

    [edit]
    How do I get to _____?
    (_____pohnchan da kee tareeka hai?)
    ...the train station?
    (...railway staition)
    ...the bus station?
    (...bus adde)
    ...the airport?
    (...airport)
    ...downtown?
    (...main shehr)
    ...the youth hostel?
    (...youth hostel)
    ...the _____ hotel?
    (_____hotel)
    ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?
    (...amreeki/kanedian/aastrelian/bartaanvi dootghar?)
    Where are there a lot of...
    (dher saare...kithe ne?)
    ...hotels?
    (...hotel?)
    ...restaurants?
    (...restaurant?)
    ...bars?
    (...bar?)
    ...sites to see?
    (...selaaniyan laee vekhan valiyan thaanvaan?)
    Can you show me on the map?
    (Tusi menoo nakshe te vikhaa deo)
    street
    (gali..)
    Turn left.
    (...khabbe jaao)
    Turn right.
    (...sajje jaao)
    left
    (...khabbe)
    right
    (...sajje)
    straight ahead
    (...sidha)
    towards the _____
    (_____waale paasse)
    past the _____
    (_____langh ke)
    before the _____
    (_____ton pehle)
    Watch for the _____.
    (_____vaste dhiaan dena)
    intersection
    (chaunk)
    north
    (uttar vaale paasse)
    south
    (dakhan vaale paasse)
    east
    (poorab/charhde paasse)
    west
    (pachham/lehnde paasse)
    Go uphill.
    (utte jaao/charhayi charho)
    Go downhill.
    (thalle jao/)
    It is uphill.
    (oh utte vall noon hai)
    It is downhill.
    (oh thalle vall noon hai)

    Taxi

    [edit]
    Taxi!
    (Taxi!)
    Take me to _____, please.
    (menoo lai jaao)
    How much does it cost to get to _____?
    (_____jaan de kinne paise laggan gay?)
    Take me there, please.
    (menoo othe lai jaao)

    Lodging

    [edit]
    Do you have any rooms available?
    (Tuhaade kol koi kamra khaali hai?)
    How much is a room for one person/two people?
    (ikk bande/do bandeyan de vaste kamre laee kinne paise laggan gay)
    Does the room come with ...
    (Kee kamre vich...hai)
    bed sheets?
    (bed diyaan chaadran?)
    a bathroom?
    (gusal-khaana?)
    a telephone?
    (telephone)
    a TV?
    (TV)
    May I see the room first?
    (Main pehle kamra vekhna chaunna (male speech)/chaunni (female speech) haan)
    Do you have anything...
    (Kee tuhaade kol es ton...)
    quieter?
    (ghatt shor vaala)
    bigger?
    (vadda)
    cleaner?
    (saaf)
    cheaper?
    (sasta)
    OK, I'll take it.
    (Theek hai main eh lai lainna (male speech)/lainni (female speech) haan
    I will stay for _____ night(s).
    (Main_____raatan laee rahaan ga(male)/gee(female))
    Can you suggest another hotel?
    (Tusi kise hor hotel baare dass sakde o?)
    Do you have (a) ...? ; (Kee tuhaade kol...)
    safe?
    (paise rakhan vaala dabba?)
    lockers?
    (laaker)
    Is breakfast/supper included?
    (Kee naashta/raat da khana ehde vich shaamal hai?)
    Please clean my room.
    (Please mera kamra saaf kar deo)
    Can you wake me at _____?
    (Tusi menoo_____vaje jaga dena)
    I want to check out.
    (Main paise dena chaunna(male)/chaunni(female) haan)

    Money

    [edit]
    Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?
    (Kee tusi Amreekan/Australian/Canadain daaler lai lainde o?)
    Do you accept British pounds?
    (Kee tusi bartaanvi pound lai lainde o?)
    Do you accept credit cards?
    (Kee tusi credit card lai lainde o?)
    Can you change money for me?
    (Tusi please mere pehe badal deo)
    Where can I get money changed?
    (Main kithon paise badalvaa sakda(male)/sakdi(female) haan?
    Can you change a traveler's cheque for me?
    (Tusi mere vaaste traveler cheque badal deo)
    Where can I a traveler's cheque changed?
    (Main traveler cheque kithon badalvaa sakda(male)/sakdi(female) haan?)
    What is the exchange rate?
    (Currency rate kee hai?)
    Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?
    (ATM kithe hai?)

    Eating

    [edit]
    A table for one person/two people, please.
    (1/2 bandeya vaaste ik table)
    Can I look at the menu, please?
    (ki me menu vekh sakda haan? )
    Can I look in the kitchen?
    (ki me rasoighar dekh skada haan?)
    Is there a house specialty?
    ( ethe da kuch khaas hai? )
    Is there a local specialty?
    (...)
    I'm a vegetarian.
    (mein shakahari ha)
    I don't eat pork.
    (me soor da meat ni khanda)
    I only eat kosher food.
    (...)
    Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)
    (tel ghatt payo)
    fixed-price meal
    (rate fix ha)
    à la carte
    (...)
    breakfast
    (naashtaa)
    lunch
    (...)
    tea (meal)
    (...)
    supper
    (...)
    I want _____.
    (maiN... chahundaa/chahundee haaN)
    I want a dish containing _____.
    (...)
    chicken
    (murgee)
    beef
    (...)
    fish
    (machhee)
    ham
    (...)
    sausage
    (...)
    cheese
    paneer
    eggs
    (anDe)
    salad
    (salaad)
    (fresh) vegetables
    (taaziaaN) sabziaaN
    (fresh) fruit
    (taaze) phal
    bread
    (...)
    toast
    (...)
    noodles
    (noodlaaN)
    rice
    (chaul)
    beans
    (...)
    May I have a glass of _____?
    (...)
    coffee
    (kafee)
    tea (drink)
    (chaah)
    juice
    (...)
    (bubbly) water
    (...)
    water
    (paanee)
    beer
    (...)
    red/white wine
    (...)
    May I have some _____?
    (ki mainooN... mil sakdaa hai?)
    salt
    (namak/loon)
    black pepper
    (kaaLee mirch)
    butter
    (makhaN)
    Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
    (...)
    I'm finished.
    (...)
    It was delicious.
    (...) bahut swaad si
    Please clear the plates.
    (...)
    The check, please.
    Kirpa karke bill day do

    Bars

    [edit]
    Do you serve alcohol?
    (thusee sharab dindeh hor)
    Is there table service?
    (...)
    A beer/two beers, please.
    (...)
    A glass of red/white wine, please.
    (...)
    A pint, please.
    (...)
    A bottle, please.
    (...)
    _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.
    (...)
    whiskey
    (...)
    vodka
    (...)
    rum
    (...)
    water
    (panni)
    club soda
    (...)
    tonic water
    (...)
    orange juice
    (...)
    Coke (soda)
    (...)
    Do you have any bar snacks?
    (...)
    One more, please.
    Kirpa karke, ik hor
    Another round, please.
    (...)
    When is closing time?
    (...)

    Shopping

    [edit]
    Do you have this in my size?
    (...)
    How much is this?
    ਇਹ ਕਿੱਨੇ ਦਾ/ਦੀ ਹੈ? (ih kinnē dā he?)
    That's too expensive.
    Ih bahut mhainga hai(...)
    Would you take _____?
    (...)
    expensive
    mhaingaa (...)
    cheap
    sastaa (...)
    I can't afford it.
    ihna mhainga main khareed ni sakdaa (...)
    I don't want it.
    main noo ih ni chahidaa (...)
    You're cheating me.
    (...)
    I'm not interested.
    (...)
    OK, I'll take it.
    (...)
    Can I have a bag?
    (...)
    Do you ship (overseas)?
    (...)
    I need...
    Mainu (...) chahida hai
    ...toothpaste.
    (...)
    ...a toothbrush.
    (...)
    ...tampons.
    (...)
    ...soap.
    (...)
    ...shampoo.
    (...)
    ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
    (...)
    ...cold medicine.
    (...)
    ...stomach medicine.
    (...)
    ...a razor.
    (...)
    ...an umbrella.
    (chhattri)
    ...sunblock lotion.
    (...)
    ...a postcard.
    (...)
    ...postage stamps.
    (...)
    ...batteries.
    (...)
    ...writing paper.
    (...)
    ...a pen.
    (...)
    ...English-language books.
    (...)
    ...an English-language newspaper.
    (...)
    ...a Punjabi-English dictionary.
    (...)

    Driving (Gaḍī chalā'uṇā ਗੱਡੀ ਚਲਾਉਣਾ)

    [edit]

    Traffic Signs are much like those in Europe/UK. Words are written in English and sometimes the regional language.

    Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    I want to rent a car ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਕਾਰ ਕਿਰਾਏ ਤੇ ਲੈਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ(male) / ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀ(female) ਹਾਂ। Main ek car kiraye te laiṇā chāhun'dā(male) / chāhun'dī(female) hān ...
    Can I get insurance? ਕੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬੀਮਾ ਮਿਲ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ? kee manu bīmā mil sakdā hai? ...
    stop (on a street sign) ਰੁਕੋ ruko ...
    one way ਇੱਕ ਤਰਫ਼ ek taraf ...
    yield ਰਾਹ ਦਿਓ rāh di'ō ...
    no parking ਐਥੇ ਗੱਡੀਆਂ ਖੜੀਆਂ ਕਰਨੀਆਂ ਮਨਾਂ ਹਨ aithē gaḍī'ān khaṛī'ān karnī'ān manāh han ...
    speed limit ... ... ...
    gas (petrol) station ਪੈਟਰੋਲ ਪੰਪ petrol pump ...


    Problems ਸਮੱਸਿਆਵਾਂ (Samasi'āvān)

    [edit]
    Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    Leave me alone ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕੱਲਾ ਛੱਡ ਦਿਓ। mainū ikalā chaḍa di'ō ...
    Don't touch me ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਾ ਛੂਹੋ। mainū nā chūhō ...
    I'll call the police ਮੈਂ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਲਾਵਾਂਗਾ(male / ਬੁਲਾਵੰਗੀ(female)। main pulas nū bulāvāṅgā(male) / bulāvāṅgi(female) ...
    Police ਪੁਲਸ police ...
    Stop! Thief! ਰੁਕੋ! ਚੋਰ! Rūkō! Chōr! ...
    I need your help ਮੈਨੂੰ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਮਦਦ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ। Mainū tuhāḍī madada dī lōṛa hai ...
    It's an emergency ਇਹ ਇੱਕ ਐਮਰਜੈਂਸੀ ਹੈ। eh ik aimarjainsī hai ...
    I lost my way ਮੈਂ ਰਾਹ ਭੁੱਲ ਗਿਆ(male) / ਗਈ(female) ਹਾਂ। main rāh bhula gi'ā(male) / ga'ī (female) han ...
    I'm lost ਮੈਂ ਗੁਆਚ ਗਿਆ(male) / ਗਈ(female) ਹਾਂ। main gu'āch gi'ā(male) / ga'ī (female) hān ...
    I lost my bag ਮੇਰਾ ਬੈਗ ਗੁਆਚ ਗਿਆ। mērā baig gu'āch gi'ā ...
    I lost my wallet ਮੇਰਾ ਬਟੁਆ ਗੁਆਚ ਗਿਆ। mērā baṭū'ā gu'āch gi'ā ...
    I'm sick ਮੈਂ ਬਿਮਾਰ ਹਾਂ। main bimār hān ...
    I've been injured ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੱਟ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੈ। mainū saṭa lagī hai ...
    I need a doctor ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਡਾਕਟਰ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ। mainū ik ḍākṭar dī lōṛr hai ...
    Can I use your phone? ਕੀ ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਫੋਨ ਵਰਤ ਸਕਦਾ(male) / ਸਕਦੀ(female) ਹਾਂ? kī main tuhāḍā fōn varat sakadā(male) / sakadī(female) hān? ...

    Authority

    [edit]

    It's always a good idea to contact your embassy/consulate immediately, if you are in trouble.

    Gurmukhi Transliteration Shahmukhi
    I haven't done anything wrong ਮੈਂ ਕੁਝ ਵੀ ਗਲਤ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। main kuj vī galat nahīn kītā hai ...
    It was a misunderstanding ਇਹ ਇੱਕ ਗਲਤਫਹਿਮੀ ਸੀ eh ik galatfaimi si ...
    Where are you taking me? ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਚਲੇ ਹੋ? tusi Mainu kithe lai ke chale ho? ...
    Am I under arrest? ਕੀ ਮੈਂ ਗ੍ਰਿਫਤਾਰ ਹਾਂ। Ki meh griftaar ha? ...
    I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਅਮਰੀਕੀ/ਆਸਟ੍ਰੇਲੀਅਨ/ਬ੍ਰਿਟਿਸ਼/ਕੈਨੇਡੀਅਨ ਨਾਗਰਿਕ ਹਾਂ। main ek amarīkī/australian/British/kanadean naagrik ha ...
    I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate ਮੈਂ ਅਮਰੀਕੀ/ਆਸਟ੍ਰੇਲੀਅਨ/ਬ੍ਰਿਟਿਸ਼/ਕੈਨੇਡੀਅਨ ਦੂਤਾਵਾਸ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ(male) /ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀ(female) ਹਾਂ। main amarīkī/australian/British/kanadean dutawas naal gal chāhun'dā(male) / chāhun'dī(female) hān ...
    I want to speak to a lawyer ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਵਕੀਲ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ(male) /ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀ(female) ਹਾਂ। meh ik vakeel deh nal gal karna chāhun'dā(male) / chāhun'dī(female) hān ...
    Can I just pay a fine now? ਕੀ ਮੈਂ ਹੁਣੇ ਜੁਰਮਾਨਾ ਦੇ ਸਕਦਾ(male) / ਸਕਦੀ(female) ਹਾਂ? kī main huṇē juramānā dē sakdā(male) / sakdī(female) haan ...


    This Punjabi phrasebook is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!


    Discover



    Powered by GetYourGuide