Words
Punjabi words and sayings, with meaning, origin and how they're used today.
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- ਆਖੋaakhosay (polite command)
- ਆਓaaocome (polite command)
- ਆਟਾaataFlour, above all whole wheat flour for roti; also the kneaded dough itself
- ਆਟੇ ਨਾਲ ਘੁਣ ਵੀ ਪਿਸਦਾ ਹੈaate naal ghun vi pisda haiThe weevil is ground with the flour; bad company harms a good person
- ਅਚਾਰacharPickle preserved in oil and spices
- ਅੱਧਕAddakGurmukhi consonant-doubling sign (ੱ)
- ਅਦਰਕadrakGinger: the pungent rhizome used as a spice
- ਅੱਗ ਬਬੂਲਾ ਹੋਣਾagg baboola honaTo become furiously angry
- ਅੱਗ ਲਾਉਣਾagg launaTo incite trouble; stir conflict
- ਅੱਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਲ ਪਾਉਣਾagg vich tel paunaTo pour oil on a fire; to make a quarrel, an anger or a bad situation worse
- ਐੜਾAiraSecond letter of the Gurmukhi alphabet (ਅ), the vowel bearer for a, aa, ai and au
- ਅੱਜajjtoday
- ਅਖਾੜਾakhadaWrestling arena and training ground
- ਅਖੰਡ ਪਾਠakhand paththe uninterrupted reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib, completed in about 48 hours
- ਅੱਖakkhEye
- ਅੱਖ ਦਾ ਤਾਰਾakkh da taaraA beloved, cherished person
- ਅੱਖ ਲੱਗਣਾakkh laggnaTo doze off; drift into sleep
- ਅੱਖਾਂ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹਣਾakkhan khulhnaTo finally see the truth
- ਅੱਖਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਧੂੜ ਪਾਉਣਾakkhan vich dhoor paunaTo deceive; pull the wool over eyes
- ਅਲਗੋਜ਼ਾalgozapaired folk flute, twin flute
- ਆਲੂalooPotato: the starchy tuber eaten as a vegetable
- ਆਲੂ ਪਰਾਂਠਾaloo parathaPotato-stuffed flatbread; Punjab's favourite breakfast bread
- ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤamritNectar; Sikh initiation rite
- ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾAmrit velaThe pre-dawn ‘ambrosial hours’ for Sikh prayer and meditation
- ਅਨੰਦanandDeep joy, bliss, complete happiness
- ਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜanand karajSikh wedding ceremony; ceremony of blissful union
- ਅਨੰਦ ਸਾਹਿਬanand sahibThe Song of Bliss, Guru Amar Das Ji's hymn of spiritual joy in Raag Ramkali
- ਅੰਦਰAndarInside, within; as a noun, the inside or interior of a place or thing
- ਅੰਧੀandhiA dust storm: a violent wind carrying dust, darkening the sky
- ਅੰਗੂਠਾanguthaThe thumb, and also the great toe and a thumbprint
- ਅੰਨ੍ਹਾ ਵੰਡੇ ਰਿਉੜੀਆਂ, ਮੁੜ ਮੁੜ ਆਪਣਿਆਂ ਨੂੰanna wande reoriyan, mud mud aapneyaan nuA blind man handing out sweets keeps giving them to his own: favouritism, nepotism
- ਅੰਨ੍ਹੀ ਪੀਸੇ ਕੁੱਤਾ ਖਾਏanni peese kutta khaaePunjabi saying: the blind woman grinds and the dog eats, for careless work wasted and labour whose benefit goes to someone else
- ਆਪਣਾ ਉੱਲੂ ਸਿੱਧਾ ਕਰਨਾapna ullu sidha karnaTo look only to your own interest; to get your own work done, often by using others
- ਅਰਦਾਸardasSikh congregational prayer
- ਆੜ੍ਹਤੀਆArhtiyaA commission agent in a Punjab grain market (mandi) who buys and sells crops for farmers and traders
- ਅਰਮਾਨArmaanLonging, desire; a wish held close to the heart
- ਅਸੀਂasiWe
- ਅਸਮਾਨasmaanSky
- ਅੱਤattthe extreme, over the top (slang)
- ਆਉਣਾaunato come: to move toward the speaker or home
- ਔਂਕੜAunkarGurmukhi vowel sign for the short u sound (ੁ)
- ਬਾਂਹbaanhArm, the limb from the shoulder to the wrist
- ਬਾਂਹ ਫੜਨਾbaanh farhnaTo support and stand by someone
- ਬੱਚਾbachchaChild
- ਬੱਦਲbaddalcloud
- ਬਾਹਰBaharOutside, outdoors; also overseas or abroad, and as a noun the outside or exterior
- ਬਹੂbahudaughter-in-law: your son's wife
- ਬਹੁਤbahutMuch, many, very: a lot, or to a great degree
- ਬੈਠੋbaithosit down (polite command)
- ਬਾਜਰਾBajraPearl millet, a hardy grain and fodder crop of dry regions
- ਬੱਲੇ ਬੱਲੇballe ballehooray, bravo: Punjab's joyful celebration cry from bhangra
- ਬਾਂਦਰ ਕੀ ਜਾਣੇ ਅਦਰਕ ਦਾ ਸਵਾਦbandar ki jaane adrak da swaadPunjabi saying: what would a monkey know of the taste of ginger, said when a good thing is wasted on someone who cannot value it
- ਬਾਪੂbapufather, dad: the warm, respectful household word
- ਬਰਾਤbaraatGroom’s wedding procession
- ਬਰਾਨੀbaraniRain-fed farming; land that depends on rainfall
- ਬਰਫ਼barfsnow; ice
- ਬਰਫ਼ੀBarfiA dense, fudge-like milk sweet made from khoya and sugar, set flat and cut into squares or diamonds (Shahmukhi: برفی)
- ਬਰਖਾbarkhaMonsoon rain; the rains
- ਬਰਸਾਤbarsaatRainy season; monsoon
- ਬਸੰਤbasantspring: the season of new growth between winter and summer
- ਬਾਸਮਤੀBasmatiLong-grain aromatic rice of Punjab
- ਬਜ਼ਾਰBazaarMarket; a street or row of shops where goods are bought and sold
- ਬੇਬੇbebemother, mum: the warm, respectful household word
- ਬੇਚੈਨੀbechainiRestlessness and uneasiness: the anxious state of finding no rest
- ਬੀਜbeejSeed; beginning of the crop
- ਬੇਸਣbesanGram flour: flour ground from chana dal (split Bengal gram), used for pakora, kadhi and missi roti
- ਭਾਤbhaatthe wedding gift a maternal uncle brings his sister's children: clothes, jewellery and cash
- ਭਾਬੀbhabhiElder brother's wife; sister-in-law
- ਭਾਣਾbhanaGod's will: the divine will, gladly accepted
- ਭੰਗੜਾbhangraPunjab's harvest folk dance
- ਭਾਣਜਾBhanjaA sister's son, a nephew through your sister
- ਭਰੋਸਾbharosaTrust and reliance, the firm belief that a person or promise can be counted on
- ਭਤੀਜਾBhatijaA brother's son, a nephew through your brother
- ਭਟੂਰਾbhatura, also spelled bhatoora; plural bhaturea deep fried leavened bread that puffs up in hot oil, served with chole as chole bhature
- ਭੈਣbhen, also spelled bhaina sister; also used, with ji, as a respectful way to address a woman
- ਭੁੱਖbhookhhunger; appetite; a strong desire or craving for something
- ਭੂਆbhuaFather's sister; paternal aunt
- ਬਿਹਾਰੀBihariGurmukhi vowel sign for the long ee sound (ੀ)
- ਬਿਜਾਈbijaiSowing: putting seed into a prepared field so a crop can grow; also the sowing work of the season
- ਬਿਜਲੀbijlilightning, electricity
- ਬਿੰਦੀBindiGurmukhi dot-shaped nasal sign (ਂ)
- ਬੋਲੇ ਸੋ ਨਿਹਾਲbole so nihalWhoever utters shall be fulfilled; the first half of the Sikh jaikara, answered by Sat Sri Akal
- ਬੋਲੀਆਂboliyanshort sung couplets performed with giddha and bhangra, led by one singer and repeated by the chorus
- ਬੋਲਣਾbolnaTo speak; to talk
- ਬੂੰਦਾ-ਬਾਂਦੀboonda-baandiDrizzle: very fine, light rain made of tiny droplets, softer and slower than ordinary rain
- ਬੁੱਢਾbuddhaOld; elderly
- ਬੁਘਚੂbugchuA traditional Punjabi folk instrument made from a gourd, played by plucking a string through its skin head
- ਬੁਰਾburaBad; unfortunate, evil
- ਚਾਰ ਦਿਨ ਦੀ ਚਾਂਦਨੀchaar din di chandniShort-lived good fortune; fleeting prosperity
- ਛਾਛchaasThin spiced buttermilk, drunk daily
- ਚਾਚਾchachaFather's younger brother; paternal uncle
- ਚਾਚੀchachifather's younger brother's wife; paternal aunt by marriage
- ਚਾਹchahtea
- ਚੈਨchainRest, ease and peace of mind: comfort, relief and calm
- ਚੱਕ ਦੇ ਫੱਟੇchak de phattecry of encouragement: give it your all, go all out
- ਚੰਗਾchangagood, fine, okay
- ਚੰਨchannMoon
- ਚਪਰੀchapriflashy, cheap, trying too hard; internet slang for cringe style
- ਚਾਰਾCharaFodder: the green and dry feed grown or gathered for cattle, buffaloes, goats and horses
- ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾchardi kalaRising spirit; optimism in hard times
- ਚਰਖਾCharkhaSpinning wheel used to make yarn
- ਚਟਨੀchatniA ground sauce or relish served in small amounts with a meal
- ਚੌਕੀਦਾਰchaukidarWatchman: a guard who watches over a place, especially at night
- ਚੌਂਕੀChaunkiLow four-legged wooden seat; in Sikh usage a sitting or party of kirtan singers, and a hymn-singing procession
- ਚੌਪਾਲchaupalVillage hall; community meeting place
- ਚੇਤchetthe first month of the Punjabi year, mid-March to mid-April
- ਛਾਤੀchhaatiChest, breast or bosom: the front of the upper body; figuratively, courage
- ਛੱਜchhajA flat woven winnowing basket used to clean grain
- ਛੱਪੜChhapparThe village pond: an open pool at the village edge that holds rainwater for cattle and groundwater recharge
- ਛਾਤੀ ਠੋਕਣਾchhati thoknaTo boast about oneself
- ਛਿਛੋਰਾchhichhorashallow, showy, undignified; a show-off
- ਛੋਟਾ ਮੂੰਹ ਵੱਡੀ ਗੱਲChhota munh vaddi gallBig talk from a small mouth; claiming more than one's standing or ability allows
- ਚਿਮਟਾchimtamusical tongs with jingles, a folk percussion instrument
- ਚਿੰਤਾchintaWorry and anxiety, the uneasy feeling of turning a problem over in the mind
- ਛੋਲੇcholeChickpeas, and the spiced chickpea curry made from them
- ਚੂੜਾchoodathe bride's set of red and white wedding bangles, gifted by her maternal uncle and aunt
- ਚੂਰੀchoorisweet of crumbled roti mixed with ghee and sugar or gur
- ਚੋਰ ਦੀ ਦਾੜ੍ਹੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਤਿਨਕਾchor di daarhi vich tinkaa guilty conscience gives itself away: the guilty react as if accused
- ਚੁੱਲ੍ਹਾchulhaTraditional clay stove, wood-fired
- ਚੁੰਨੀ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਈchunni-chadhaiPre-wedding ceremony where the groom's family drapes a chunni on the bride
- ਚੁੱਪ ਵੱਟਣਾchupp vattnaTo fall silent; hold one's tongue
- ਦਾਜDaajDowry: the clothes, jewellery, money and household goods a bride's parents give at her wedding, for the bride and for the groom's family
- ਡਾਕੀਆDaakiyaA postman: the person who delivers letters, parcels and money orders to people's homes (Shahmukhi: ڈاکِیا)
- ਦਾਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਗਲਦੀdaal ni galdiOne's scheme is not working; the plan is failing
- ਦਾਦਾdadaFather's father; paternal grandfather
- ਦਾਦੀdadiFather's mother; paternal grandmother
- ਦਹੀਂdahiCurd; set fermented milk
- ਦਾਲdalSimmered lentils; daily staple dish
- ਦਾਲ ਮੱਖਣੀdal makhaniCreamy butter-finished black lentils
- ਦਮ ਸਾਧਣਾdam sadhnaTo hold one's breath; stay still
- ਦਾਮਾਦdamaadson-in-law: your daughter's husband
- ਦੰਦdandtooth; teeth
- ਦੰਦ ਖੱਟੇ ਕਰਨਾdand khatte karnaTo defeat and humiliate an opponent
- ਡੰਡੀDandiGurmukhi full-stop sign (।) that ends a sentence
- ਦੰਗਲdangalWrestling bout; contest of pehlwans
- ਡਰdarfear: the feeling of being afraid
- ਦਰਖ਼ਤdarakhtTree
- ਦਰਦdardPain, ache; grief, sorrow
- ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ਾdarwazaA door or gate; the entrance barrier of a house, room or vehicle
- ਦਰਜ਼ੀdarzitailor
- ਦੱਸੋdassotell (polite command)
- ਦਸਵੰਧdasvandhGiving one tenth of your earnings for the community
- ਦਾਤਰੀdatriA sickle: a curved hand blade for cutting crops
- ਦੇਗ ਤੇਗdeg teghCharity and the sword
- ਦਿਉਰdeorA husband's younger brother, a younger brother-in-law in a Punjabi family (also written devar)
- ਡੇਰਾderaFarmstead; also a sect's headquarters
- ਢੱਡdhaddsmall hourglass shaped drum of the Dhadi ballad singers, played with the fingers
- ਢਾਡੀdhadiA Punjabi ballad singer who sings heroic vaars with dhadd and sarangi
- ਧਾਨDhanPaddy: rice still in its husk, the crop grown in flooded fields through the summer
- ਧੀdheeDaughter
- ਢਿੱਡdhiddThe belly or tummy, in everyday homely Punjabi
- ਧੋਬੀdhobiwasherman; the man who washes and irons clothes for others
- ਧੋਬੀ ਦਾ ਕੁੱਤਾ, ਨਾ ਘਰ ਦਾ ਨਾ ਘਾਟ ਦਾdhobi da kutta, na ghar da na ghat dabelonging nowhere: split between two places or sides and accepted by neither
- ਢੋਲdholPunjab's double-headed folk drum
- ਢੋਲਕੀDholkiA small two-headed hand drum, smaller than the dhol, played with the hands, especially by women at weddings and religious gatherings
- ਧ੍ਰੁਪਦdhrupadoldest vocal style of Hindustani classical music
- ਧੁੰਦdhundfog
- ਧੁੱਪdhupSunlight; sunshine
- ਦਿਲDilHeart; the seat of feeling, love and courage
- ਦਿਲ ਬਹਿਲਾਉਣਾdil behlaunaTo console one's heart; cheer up
- ਦਿਲ ਭਰ ਆਉਣਾdil bhar aunaTo be overwhelmed with emotion
- ਦਿਲ ਟੁੱਟਣਾdil tuttnaTo have one's heart broken
- ਦਿਲ ਵੱਡਾ ਕਰਨਾdil vadda karnaTo be generous, not petty
- ਦਿਲਰੁਬਾDilrubaBowed, fretted string instrument of Sikh kirtan, credited by tradition to Guru Gobind Singh Ji
- ਦਿਮਾਗ਼dimaagbrain: the organ of thought, and by extension the thinking mind
- ਦਿਨdinDay
- ਦੋਹਤਾdohtaA daughter's son; a grandson through a daughter
- ਦੋਹਤੀdohtiA daughter's daughter; a granddaughter through a daughter
- ਡੋਲੀdolibride's palanquin, bride's farewell departure
- ਦੁੱਧ ਦਾ ਦੁੱਧ, ਪਾਣੀ ਦਾ ਪਾਣੀdoodh ka doodh, paani ka paaniMilk stays milk, water stays water: truth will out
- ਦੁੱਧਵਾਲਾdoodhwalamilkman: a person who sells and delivers milk
- ਦੋਸਤdostfriend, companion
- ਦੋਸਤੀdostiFriendship
- ਦੁਕਾਨਦਾਰdukandarShopkeeper; the person who owns or runs a shop
- ਦੁੱਖdukhSorrow, pain and suffering
- ਦੁਲੈਂਕੜDulainkarGurmukhi vowel sign for the long oo sound (ੂ)
- ਦੁਲਾਵਾਂDulavanGurmukhi vowel sign for the open ai sound (ੈ)
- ਦੁਲਹਣDulhanA bride; a newly married woman
- ਅਹਿਸਾਸehsaasA feeling; also a realization, an awareness that something is true or that someone matters
- ਇਕਤਾਰਾektaraOne-string folk instrument with a gourd resonator and bamboo neck
- ਇੱਥੇetheHere
- ਫ਼ਸਲfasalCrop; the season's harvest
- ਫ਼ਤਹਿfatehVictory; Sikh greeting
- ਫੁਕਰਾFukraA carefree, easygoing person; Punjabi slang for a slacker or goof-off, said with warmth
- ਗਾਉਣਾgaanaTo sing
- ਗੱਭਰੂgabrua young man in his prime, a dashing lad
- ਗਜਰੇਲਾgajrelaThe Punjabi name for gajar ka halwa, a winter sweet of grated red carrots slowly cooked in milk with sugar, ghee and khoya
- ਗੱਲ ਦਿਲ 'ਤੇ ਲੈਣਾgall dil te lainaTo take something to heart
- ਗੱਲ ਵਧਣਾgall vadhnaFor a matter to escalate
- ਗੰਡਾਸਾgandasalong-handled farming implement with a wide blade
- ਗੰਨਾgannaSugarcane; source of gur
- ਗੜਾgaraHailstone; hail in the plural form gare
- ਗਰਜgarajThunder; a deep roar or rumbling sound
- ਗਰਦਨgardanThe neck; also the narrow neck of a jug or bottle
- ਗਰਮੀgarmiHeat; summer
- ਗੇੜੀgediA leisurely round or drive with friends, with no destination, just for the pleasure of going around
- ਗੀਤgeeta song; a hymn
- ਘਬਰਾਹਟghabrahatNervousness, anxiety and flustered unease
- ਘੈਂਟghaintAwesome; superb; cool, modern Punjabi slang for praise
- ਗਮghamSorrow; grief
- ਘਰgharHome; house
- ਘਰ ਦਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਜੋਗੜਾ, ਬਾਹਰ ਦਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਸਿੱਧghar da jogi jogra, bahar da jogi siddhThe jogi at home counts for little, the jogi from outside is a saint: ability is honoured away from home, not at home
- ਘਰ ਦੀ ਮੁਰਗੀ ਦਾਲ ਬਰਾਬਰGhar di murgi dal barabarThe home hen counts only as dal: talent and good things at home are taken for granted
- ਘੜਾ ਘੜੋਲੀghara-gharoliPre-wedding ritual of fetching holy water in a decorated pitcher for the bride's or groom's bath
- ਘਟਾghataDark, thick clouds; a mass of clouds
- ਘਿਓgheeClarified butter; the Punjabi cooking fat
- ਘੋੜੀ ਚੜ੍ਹਨਾghodi chadhnaThe groom mounting his decorated mare to set off with the baraat to the wedding venue
- ਘੁੰਘਰੂGhungrooStrings of small metal bells tied around a dancer's ankles
- ਗਿੱਧਾgiddhaPunjabi women's folk dance
- ਗੋਡਾgoddaknee: the joint in the middle of the leg that lets it bend
- ਗ੍ਰੰਥੀGranthiThe custodian and ceremonial reader of the Guru Granth Sahib in a Sikh gurdwara
- ਗੁਲਾਬ ਜਾਮੁਣgulab jamunSoft khoya sweets in rose-water syrup
- ਗੁੜgurjaggery, solid sweet made from boiled sugarcane juice
- ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀgurbaniHymns of the Sikh Gurus
- ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾGurdwaraThe Sikh place of worship, literally the doorway to the Guru, where the Guru Granth Sahib presides and the congregation gathers
- ਗੁਰਮਤਿgurmatThe Guru's teaching; Sikh way
- ਗੁਰਮੁਖGurmukhGuru-facing: a person who lives by the Guru's teaching instead of by their own ego
- ਗਰੂਰGuroorPride in its bad sense: arrogance, haughtiness and vanity
- ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬgurpuraba Guru’s anniversary festival: birth, martyrdom or landmark day of a Sikh Guru
- ਗੁੱਸਾgussaAnger; rage
- ਹੱਡੀhaddiBone: one of the hard pieces that together form the skeleton
- ਹਫ਼ਤਾhaftaWeek; (informal) Saturday
- ਹੈਰਾਨੀhairanisurprise, amazement and wonder; also perplexity
- ਹਲhalPlough; the farmer's tilling implement
- ਹਲਦੀHaldiTurmeric, the golden spice ground from the rhizome of Curcuma longa
- ਹਾਲੀhaliPloughman; driver of the plough
- ਹਲਵਾਈhalwaiconfectioner: a maker and seller of sweets
- ਹਨੇਰੀhaneristorm, dust storm
- ਹਾੜੀharhiThe Punjabi name for the Rabi season, the winter cropping season sown after the monsoon and harvested in spring
- ਹਾਰਮੋਨੀਅਮHarmoniumA small hand-pumped keyboard instrument whose bellows push air through metal reeds, the melody instrument of Punjabi kirtan, qawwali and folk song
- ਹੱਸਣਾhasnaTo laugh; to smile
- ਹੱਥhathhand
- ਹੱਥ ਮਲਣਾhath malnaTo regret; wring hands in remorse
- ਹੱਥ ਤੇ ਸਰਸੋਂ ਜਮਣਾhath te sarson jamnaTo want a hard job done instantly; to be in a tearing hurry
- ਹੱਥ ਵਟਾਉਣਾhath vataunaTo lend a hand; help out
- ਹਉਮੈhaumaiego; egoity; the sense of a separate 'I' that puts itself first
- ਹੌਸਲਾhauslaCourage, nerve
- ਹੌਸਲਾ ਬੁਲੰਦ ਕਰਨਾhausla buland karnaTo raise morale; encourage
- ਹਵਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਉੱਡਣਾhava vich uddnaTo be puffed up with pride
- ਹਵਾhawawind; air
- ਹਿੰਮਤhimmatCourage; resolve
- ਹੋਰhorMore; another, other
- ਹੋੜਾHoraGurmukhi vowel sign for the long o sound (ੋ)
- ਹੁਕਮਨਾਮਾhukamnamaGuru's order; daily edict
- ਹੁਣhunnow, at this moment, at present
- ਹੁਨਾਲ਼ਾHunalaSummer, the hot season, in the traditional naming of the seasons
- ਇੱਕ ਓਅੰਕਾਰ (ੴ)ik oankarOne Universal Creator
- ਈੜੀIriThird letter of the Gurmukhi alphabet (ੲ), the vowel bearer for i, ee and e
- ਈਰਖਾirkhajealousy and envy: the burning feeling of pain at another person's good fortune
- ਇੱਟ ਕੁੱਤੇ ਦਾ ਵੈਰ ਹੋਣਾitt kutte da vair honato be bitter, sworn enemies
- ਇੱਜ਼ਤizzatHonour, dignity and respect; a person's good name
- ਜਾਗੋjaagowake up; pre-wedding night procession
- ਜਾਪੁ ਸਾਹਿਬjaap sahibGuru Gobind Singh Ji's morning hymn praising God through His many names and qualities
- ਜੈਕਾਰਾJaikaraCall of victory; the Sikh call-and-response cry
- ਜਲੇਬੀjalebiCrisp syrup-soaked sweet coils
- ਜਮਾਬੰਦੀjamabandiLand record; record of rights
- ਜਾਣਾjanato go: to move away toward a place
- ਜੰਞJanjThe groom's wedding procession, the party that travels with the groom to the bride's home or venue; the Punjabi name for the baraat
- ਜਾਓjaogo (polite command)
- ਜਪੁਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬJapji SahibGuru Nanak's morning bani at the start of Guru Granth Sahib
- ਜਥੇਦਾਰjathedarLeader; head of a Sikh seat
- ਜੱਟjattPunjabi farmer; member of Jat community
- ਜਵਾਨjawanYoung; youthful
- ਜਜ਼ਬਾਤjazbaatEmotions, feelings: the whole range of what a person feels, joy, sorrow, anger and love together
- ਜੀ ਕਰਨਾjee karnaTo feel like doing something
- ਜੀਭjeebhtongue
- ਜੇਠjethA husband's elder brother, a senior brother-in-law in a Punjabi family
- ਜੇਠਾਣੀjethaniHusband's elder brother's wife; sister-in-law
- ਝੜੀjhadiContinuous rain: rain that falls steadily without stopping
- ਝੱਖੜjhakhadA squall: a sudden blast of strong wind, a gale or wind storm
- ਝੱਲਾjhallaCrazy, madcap or foolish, usually in a light or lovestruck sense
- ਝੋਨਾjhonaPaddy; the monsoon rice crop
- ਝੂਠjhoothA lie; falsehood
- ਝੂਮਰjhumarslow, graceful Punjabi folk dance of the harvest, traditionally danced by men
- ਜੀਜਾjijaSister's husband; one kind of brother-in-law, seen from the wife's family's side
- ਜਿਸ ਦੀ ਲਾਠੀ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਮੱਝjis di lathi us di bhainsmight is right: whoever holds power owns the prize
- ਜਿੱਥੇjitheWhere (relative)
- ਜਿਥੇ ਦੀ ਖੋਤੀ, ਉਥੇ ਆਣ ਖਲੋਤੀjithe di khoti, uthe aan khalotiBack to square one: said of a person who, after a long explanation, asks the very same question again
- ਜੋੜੀJoriPair of hand drums that accompanies Sikh kirtan; in everyday speech, a pair or a couple
- ਜੋਸ਼JoshEnthusiasm, zeal, passion; the fire that gets you moving
- ਜੁਗਾੜjugaadA clever improvised fix; an ingenious makeshift solution
- ਜੁਗਤjugatA clever way or method; a knack
- ਜੁਗਨੀjugniPunjabi folk song form in which Jugni, literally a female firefly, wanders and comments on what she sees
- ਜੁਲਾਹਾjulaahaWeaver: a person who weaves cloth on a loom
- ਕਛਹਿਰਾkachheraKhalsa undergarment of modesty
- ਕੜ੍ਹੀkadhiA thick, sour curry of yogurt and gram flour (besan), in Punjab served with onion pakoras
- ਕਦੋਂkadonwhen, at what time: the Punjabi question word for time
- ਕਾਫ਼ੀkafiSufi sung lyric with a returning refrain; a raag; enough
- ਕਹਾਣੀkahaniA story or tale, told or written, true or imagined
- ਕਾਇਮkaimFirm, established, steadfast; as modern slang, excellent, solid, top class
- ਕਲੀਰੇkaleereumbrella-shaped bridal ornaments tied to the chooda, symbolising blessings, happiness and abundance
- ਕੱਲ੍ਹkallhtomorrow; also yesterday
- ਕਮਰKamarWaist; the lower back; a belt or sash worn at the waist
- ਕਮਰ ਕੱਸਣਾkamar kassnaTo gird oneself; prepare for effort
- ਕੰਮkammwork, job, task
- ਕੰਨkanear
- ਕਣਕkanakWheat; Punjab's staple grain
- ਕਨੌੜਾKanauraGurmukhi vowel sign for the open au sound (ੌ)
- ਕੰਘਾkanghaWooden comb of the Khalsa
- ਕੰਗਣਾKangnaA bangle or bracelet; the sacred thread tied on a bride or groom's wrist on the wedding morning
- ਕੰਨ ਭਰਨਾkann bharnaTo poison someone's mind against another
- ਕੰਨਾKannaGurmukhi vowel sign for the long aa sound (ਾ)
- ਕੜਾkaraSteel bracelet of the Khalsa
- ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦkarah parshadSacred sweet offered in gurdwaras
- ਕਾਰੀਗਰkarigarArtisan; craftsman; a skilled worker who makes or repairs things
- ਕਰਨਾkarnato do, to make
- ਕਰੋkarodo (polite command)
- ਕੱਸੀkassiHoe; short-handled digging tool
- ਕਥਾKathaThe spoken exposition of Gurbani, a religious discourse explaining a hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib to the congregation
- ਕਾਟੋKatoA Punjabi folk instrument shaped like a wooden squirrel on a stick, worked by a cord to make a clapping rhythm in bhangra and Malwai giddha; the word also means a squirrel
- ਕਿਹੜਾkehdaWhich; which one
- ਕੇਸkeshUncut hair of the Khalsa
- ਖਾਦkhaadFertilizer; manure
- ਖਾਣਾkhaanaTo eat
- ਖਾਓkhaaoeat (polite command)
- ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾkhalsaThe initiated Sikh order
- ਖੰਡਾkhandaDouble-edged sword; Sikh emblem
- ਖੱਪkhappA noisy uproar, a fuss or joyful chaos in one place
- ਖੜਤਾਲKhartalA wooden clapper percussion instrument with small brass discs, played in kirtan and Punjabi folk music
- ਖ਼ਿਆਲkhayalclassical vocal form; thought, idea, opinion
- ਖੀਰkheerSlow-cooked milk-and-rice dessert
- ਖੇਤkhetField; farmland
- ਖੇਤੀkhetiFarming; agriculture
- ਖੇਤੀਬਾੜੀkhetibariFarming; agriculture
- ਖਿੜਕੀkhidkiA window; an opening in a wall for light and air
- ਖੋਦਾ ਪਹਾੜ, ਨਿਕਲੀ ਚੂਹੀkhoda pahar, nikli chuhiMuch effort and fuss, but a very small result in the end
- ਖੂਨkhoonBlood: the red liquid that flows through the body, also one's own kin
- ਖੂਨ ਪਸੀਨਾ ਇੱਕ ਕਰਨਾkhoon paseena ikk karnaTo work extremely hard
- ਖੋਆKhoyaDried milk solids: whole milk simmered down until only a thick, rich mass is left, the base of most Punjabi sweets (Shahmukhi: کھوا)
- ਖੂਹkhuhWell; the village's water source
- ਖੁਸ਼ੀkhushiHappiness; joy
- ਕੀkiWhat; whether or not
- ਕਿੱਦਾਂkiddanhow are you? what's up? (informal greeting)
- ਕਿੱਕਲੀkikliPunjabi folk dance and spinning game for young girls, danced in pairs holding hands and whirling in a circle
- ਕਿੱਲਾkillaone acre of land: 8 kanal or 160 marla
- ਕਿੱਨਾkinnaHow much; how many
- ਕਿਰਤ ਕਰੋkirat karoearn an honest living by hard work
- ਕਿਰਪਾਨkirpanCeremonial sword of the Khalsa
- ਕੀਰਤਨkirtanDevotional singing of hymns
- ਕੀਰਤਨ ਸੋਹਿਲਾkirtan sohilaThe Sikh night prayer, a song of praise in five hymns, recited before sleep
- ਕਿਸਾਨkisanfarmer: a person who cultivates land and grows crops
- ਕਿਤਾਬKitaabBook; a set of printed or written pages bound together
- ਕਿੱਥੇkithewhere, in which place
- ਕਿੱਥੋਂkithonFrom where; whence
- ਕਿਵੇਂkivenHow; in what way
- ਕੋਰਾkoraFrost, hoarfrost: the white ice crystals that settle on fields, roofs and windows on cold winter nights
- ਕ੍ਰੋਧkrodhanger, rage; one of the five vices in Sikh thought
- ਕੁਝkuchhSome; a few, something
- ਕੁਛੜ ਕੁੜੀ ਤੇ ਸ਼ਹਿਰ ਢਿੰਢੋਰਾkuchhar kudi te shehar dhindorasearching everywhere for what is already in your lap
- ਕੂਹਣੀkuhniThe elbow, the joint where the arm bends
- ਕੁਲਚਾkulchaa leavened Punjabi flatbread, usually stuffed with spiced potato or paneer and baked in a tandoor
- ਕੁਮ੍ਹਾਰkumharPotter; maker of clay vessels
- ਕੁੜਮਾਈkurmaithe formal Punjabi engagement ceremony, also called sagai
- ਕੁੱਤੇ ਦੀ ਪੂਛ ਕਦੇ ਸਿੱਧੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੀkutte di poonchh kade siddhi nahi hundisome natures never change: a dog's tail is never straight
- ਕਿਉਂkyonwhy, for what reason: the Punjabi question word that asks for a reason
- ਲਾਵਾਂlaavanThe four wedding hymns of the Anand Karaj
- ਲੰਬੜਦਾਰlambardarVillage headman in the land revenue system, who collects land revenue
- ਲਾਂLanGurmukhi vowel sign for the long e sound (ੇ)
- ਲੰਗਰlangarFree community kitchen meal
- ਲੱਸੀlassiThick churned-yogurt drink, sweet or salted
- ਲੱਤlattLeg, the lower limb from the groin to the ankle
- ਲੱਤ ਖਿੱਚਣਾlatt khichnaTo tease someone playfully
- ਲਿਖਣਾlikhnato write, to compose
- ਲਿਖੋlikhowrite (polite command)
- ਲੋਭlobhgreed; avarice; the urge to possess far more than one needs
- ਲੂloohHot, dry summer wind; also the heatstroke it can cause
- ਲੁੱਡੀluddiTraditional Punjabi victory folk dance, performed in circles at weddings and sports events
- ਲੂਹLuhThe loo: the hot, dry wind that blows across the Punjab plains in May and June, before the monsoon (Shahmukhi: لُوہ)
- ਲੁਹਾਰluharblacksmith
- ਮਾਣmaanpride, honour and dignity
- ਮਾਪੇmaapeParents; mother and father together
- ਮਾਹੀਆmahiaa short three-phrase Punjabi folk verse addressed to a beloved, named after mahi, the buffalo-grazer sweetheart
- ਮੈਂmainI; me (first-person singular pronoun)
- ਮੈਨੂੰmainuTo me
- ਮਾਈਆਂmaiyanthe pre-wedding ceremony in which vatna (turmeric paste) is applied to the bride or groom
- ਮੱਝmajjha buffalo, the water buffalo kept on Punjabi farms for milk
- ਮੱਖਣmakhanButter, in Punjab especially the fresh unsalted white butter churned from curd
- ਮੱਕੀ ਦੀ ਰੋਟੀmakki di rotiUnleavened maize flatbread, eaten with saag
- ਮਾਲੀMaliA gardener, the person who plants, waters and tends a garden or orchard
- ਮਲਵਈ ਗਿੱਧਾmalwai giddhaThe folk dance of men from Punjab's Malwa region, also called Babeyan da Giddha, danced with boliyan and folk instruments
- ਮਾਮਾmamaMother's brother; maternal uncle
- ਮਾਮੀmamimother's brother's wife; maternal aunt by marriage
- ਮਨ ਲਾਉਣਾman launaTo apply one's mind; focus
- ਮੰਡੀmandiMarket; the grain market where farmers sell their produce
- ਮੰਜਾManjaPunjabi woven bed or charpai
- ਮਨਮੁਖManmukhMind-facing: a self-centred person who follows only their own mind and desires, turning away from the Guru
- ਮਰਲਾmarlaa land unit of 272.25 square feet, one twentieth of a kanal
- ਮਾਸੀmasiMother's sister; maternal aunt
- ਮਾਸਟਰmastarteacher: a schoolteacher, addressed with respect as mastar ji
- ਮੱਥਾMatthaThe forehead, the front of the head above the eyebrows
- ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣਾmattha teknaTo bow in reverence; pay respects
- ਮੌਜਾਂMaujanFun, good times and carefree enjoyment; modern Punjabi slang for having a great time with friends
- ਮੌਸਮmausamweather, season
- ਮਾਯੂਸੀmayusiDisappointment, hopelessness and dejection
- ਮਜ਼ਦੂਰmazdoorLabourer; a hired worker who does manual work for wages
- ਮੀਂਹmeehrain
- ਮਹਿਮਾਨmehmaanGuest, a visitor who is welcomed and looked after
- ਮਿਹਨਤmehnatHard work; effort
- ਮਹਿੰਦੀmehndihenna: the reddish brown dye from henna leaves, and the art of painting it on hands and feet
- ਮੇਲਾmelaFair; village festival gathering
- ਮੇਰਾmeraMy; mine
- ਮਿਲਣੀmilniFormal meeting of the two families at a wedding
- ਮੀਰੀ ਪੀਰੀmiri pirithe Sikh principle joining temporal power (miri) and spiritual authority (piri) in one life
- ਮਿੱਸੀ ਰੋਟੀmissi rotiA spiced Punjabi flatbread made from wheat flour and gram flour (besan), with onion, ajwain and kasuri methi in the dough
- ਮਿਸਤਰੀmistriMason; master craftsman; mechanic, handyman
- ਮਿੱਟੀmittiSoil; earth
- ਮਿੱਟੀ ਪਾਓmitti paoTo bury a matter; let it rest
- ਮੋਚੀmochiCobbler; shoemaker and shoe repairer
- ਮੋਢਾmoddhashoulder: where the arm joins the body, and the part that carries loads
- ਮੋਢੇ ਨਾਲ ਮੋਢਾ ਜੋੜਨਾmodhe naal modha jornaTo stand shoulder to shoulder
- ਮੋਹmohattachment: a clinging love for worldly things and people
- ਮੂਲ ਮੰਤਰmool mantarThe root verse at the opening of Guru Granth Sahib, describing the one Creator in a single line
- ਮੁਕਲਾਵਾmuklawaThe bride’s second departure to live at her husband’s home after the wedding
- ਮੁਕਤਾMuktaGurmukhi letter written with no vowel sign, read with its built-in short a
- ਮੁੰਡਾMundaA boy or young man, a lad; in its plural forms, munde and mundian, the boys or the guys
- ਮੂੰਹmunhMouth; also face in everyday speech
- ਮੂੰਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਾਣੀ ਆਉਣਾmunh vich pani aunaTo crave; mouth-watering desire
- ਮੂੰਹੋਂ ਫੁੱਲ ਝੜਨਾmunhon phull jharnaTo speak sweetly and charmingly
- ਮੁਨਸ਼ੀmunshiClerk, secretary or accountant; the person who keeps records and accounts
- ਮੁਰੱਬਾmurabbaFruit preserve in sugar syrup
- ਮੁਟਿਆਰmutiyara young woman who has grown up, the heroine of Punjabi songs
- ਨਾ ਨੌ ਮਣ ਤੇਲ ਹੋਵੇ, ਤੇ ਨਾ ਰਾਧਾ ਨੱਚੇNa nau mann tel hove, te na Radha nachheNeither will there be nine maunds of oil, nor will Radha dance: an impossible condition that quietly means no
- ਨਾਚ ਨਾ ਜਾਣੇ, ਆਂਗਣ ਟੇਢਾnaach na jaane, aangan tedhaA bad workman blames his tools instead of his own lack of skill
- ਨਾਮnaamThe Divine Name; God's Name
- ਨਾਮ ਜਪਣਾnaam japnaremembering God by repeating and meditating on the Name
- ਨਾਨੀ ਯਾਦ ਆਉਣਾnaani yaad aunaTo suffer so badly one longs for one's grandmother
- ਨੱਚਣਾnachnaTo dance
- ਨਫ਼ਰਤnafrathatred: intense dislike and ill will toward a person or thing
- ਨਗਰ ਕੀਰਤਨnagar kirtantown hymn singing: a Sikh procession singing shabads around the Guru Granth Sahib
- ਨਗਾਰਾnagaraLarge kettledrum of the gurdwara, played with sticks, often in a pair
- ਨਹੁੰnahunfingernail or toenail
- ਨਾਈnaibarber; the man who cuts hair and shaves beards
- ਨੱਕnakkNose
- ਨੱਕ ਕੱਟਣਾnakk katnaTo disgrace or dishonour someone
- ਨੱਕ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਮ ਕਰਨਾnakk vich dam karnaTo torment or pester someone endlessly
- ਨਮੀnamiHumidity, moisture in the air, and dampness in soil, walls and cloth
- ਨਾਨਾnanaMother's father; maternal grandfather
- ਨਣਦNanadHusband's sister; sister-in-law (from the wife's side)
- ਨਣਦੋਈਆNandoiHusband's sister's husband; brother-in-law (from the wife's side)
- ਨਾਨੀnaniMother's mother; maternal grandmother
- ਨਾਰਾਜ਼ਗੀNaraazgiDispleasure, the state of being upset, hurt or annoyed with someone
- ਨਰਮਾnarmaCotton; the white fibre crop
- ਨੌ ਦੋ ਗਿਆਰਾਂ ਹੋਣਾNau do gyarah honaTo slip away quietly; to run off unnoticed
- ਨੀਂਦ ਉੱਡਣਾneend uddnaTo lose sleep over worry
- ਨਹਿਰnehara canal: a man-made waterway carrying river water to fields
- ਨਿਤਨੇਮnitnemDaily Sikh prayers
- ਨੂੰਹnoohDaughter-in-law, the wife of your son
- ਉਹ ਕਿਹੜੀ ਗਲੀ, ਜਿੱਥੇ ਭਾਗੋ ਨਹੀਂ ਖਲੀoh kehdi gali, jithe Bhago nahi khaliSaid of a person who turns up everywhere and pokes into everything
- ਓਥੇotheThere
- ਪਾਲਾPaalaFrost: the thin white coat of ice crystals that forms on grass and rooftops on clear, freezing winter nights
- ਪਛਤਾਵਾpachhtawaRegret and remorse for something done or left undone
- ਪੱਗ ਬੰਨ੍ਹਣਾpagg bannhnaTo take on honour and responsibility
- ਪੈਰpairfoot
- ਪੈਰ ਬਿੰਦੀPair BindiDot below a Gurmukhi consonant, also called nukta
- ਪੈਰਾਂ ਹੇਠੋਂ ਜ਼ਮੀਨ ਨਿਕਲਣਾpairan hethon zameen nikalnaTo be stunned by shocking news
- ਪੈਰੀਂ ਅੱਖਰPairin AkharSubjoined Gurmukhi letters: pairin haha (੍ਹ), pairin rara (੍ਰ) and pairin vava (੍ਵ)
- ਪੈਸਾpaisaMoney; also a paisa, one hundredth of a rupee
- ਪਖਾਵਜpakhawajbarrel drum with two heads; also jori, tabla
- ਪਕੌੜਾpakoraChickpea-batter fritters, fried crisp
- ਪਾਲਕ ਪਨੀਰpalak paneerSpinach and paneer curry; a classic Punjabi dish
- ਪੰਚਾਇਤpanchayatA village council; today the elected Gram Panchayat that governs a village
- ਪਨੀਰpaneerfresh soft cheese made from curdled milk
- ਪਂਗਾpangatrouble, a quarrel or a fight you are better off avoiding
- ਪੰਗਤpangatRow of diners in langar
- ਪਾਣੀpaniWater
- ਪਨੀਰੀpaniriA nursery bed of young seedlings, especially paddy, raised for transplanting into the main field
- ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰpanj kakaarthe Five Ks; the five articles of faith worn by Khalsa Sikhs
- ਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰੇpanj-piareThe Five Beloved Ones
- ਪੰਜਾਲੀPanjaaliThe wooden yoke laid across a pair of bullocks to keep them in line while they pull a plough
- ਪੰਜੀਰੀpanjiriNourishing roasted-flour sweet with gond
- ਪੰਥpanthThe Sikh community; path
- ਪਰਾਲੀparaliPaddy straw left in the fields after harvest
- ਪਰਾਂਠਾparathaLayered flatbread, plain or stuffed
- ਪੜ੍ਹਨਾparhnato read, to study
- ਪੜ੍ਹੋparhoread (polite command)
- ਪਰਿਵਾਰparivarFamily
- ਪੱਸਲੀpassliRib
- ਪਟਾਕਾpatakaLiterally a firecracker; in slang, a lively, attractive person full of energy
- ਪੱਠੇpathhegreen fodder: the fresh leafy crops cut daily and fed to cattle and buffaloes
- ਪਤਝੜpatjharautumn: the season when trees shed their leaves
- ਪਟੋਲਾpatolaslang for a beautiful, stylishly dressed woman; a compliment in Punjabi songs and speech
- ਪਟਵਾਰੀpatwarivillage land records official in the revenue department
- ਪੀਣਾpeenaTo drink
- ਪੀਓpeeodrink (polite command)
- ਪੇਂਡੂpenduVillager; a person from a village; rural (often teasing)
- ਫਿਰphirThen, again, afterwards, later
- ਫਿਰਨੀphirnia chilled pudding of ground rice and milk, set in earthen bowls
- ਫੁੱਡੂPhudduA silly or foolish person; playful Punjabi slang for a simpleton, said teasingly among friends
- ਫੁਲਕਾਰੀPhulkariPunjabi embroidery tradition and embroidered textile
- ਫੁੱਲphullFlower
- ਪਿੰਡpindVillage
- ਪਿੰਨੀpinniWheat-ghee-jaggery sweet balls, winter food
- ਪਿੱਠPitthThe back, the rear side of the body from the shoulders to the waist
- ਪੋਤਾpotaGrandson: a son's son, to his paternal grandparents
- ਪੋਤੀpotiGranddaughter: a son's daughter, to her paternal grandparents
- ਪੁੱਤਰputtarSon
- ਪਿਆਰpyaarLove; deep affection
- ਕੱਵਾਲੀqawwaliSufi devotional song sung by a party of qawwals
- ਰਾਗRaagMelodic framework of Indian music; the musical measure in which each shabad of Guru Granth Sahib is set
- ਰਾਤraatNight
- ਰਾਤ ਦਿਨ ਇੱਕ ਕਰਨਾraat din ikk karnaTo toil day and night without rest
- ਰਬਾਬrababplucked lute, the first instrument of Sikh kirtan, played by Bhai Mardana
- ਰਬਾਬੀRababiPlayer of the rabab; in Sikh history, the hereditary Muslim kirtan musicians of Bhai Mardana Ji’s line
- ਰਾਗੀRagiSikh kirtan singer who sings the shabads of Guru Granth Sahib in their prescribed raags
- ਰਹਾਉRahaoPause; the refrain marker in a shabad of Guru Granth Sahib, flagging the line with its central idea
- ਰਾਜਮਾਂrajmared kidney beans, and the curry made from them
- ਰੰਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਭੰਗ ਪਾਉਣਾrang vich bhang paunato spoil the fun: to dampen a happy occasion so the joy goes flat
- ਰੌਲਾraulaNoise, uproar and commotion; in Punjabi slang, a big loud fuss breaking out
- ਰੌਣੀrauniPre-sowing irrigation: the watering given to a field before sowing so the seedbed has the right moisture
- ਰਹਿਤrehatSikh code of conduct
- ਰਹਿਰਾਸ ਸਾਹਿਬrehras sahibThe daily Sikh evening prayer in Nitnem, gathering hymns of five Gurus, read around sunset
- ਰੇਵੜੀrewria crunchy sweet of sesame seeds set in jaggery, shaped in small discs
- ਰੋਕਾrokaThe first Punjabi wedding ceremony, where both families accept the match and stop looking for other matches
- ਰੋਣਾronaTo cry; to weep
- ਰੋਟੀrotiFlatbread; daily bread
- ਰੁੱਤruttseason: one of the named stretches of the year
- ਸਾਹ ਸੁੱਕਣਾsaah sukknaTo be terrified; breath drying up
- ਸਾਲ਼ਾsaalaWife's brother, one kind of brother-in-law in English
- ਸਾਨੂੰsaanuUs; to us
- ਸੱਸsaasmother-in-law: the mother of your husband or wife
- ਸਾਜ਼saaza musical instrument
- ਸਬਰsabrpatience: calm, steady endurance through hardship
- ਸਬਜ਼ੀsabziCooked vegetable dish; daily curry
- ਸੱਚsachTruth; the truth
- ਸਾਡਾsadaOur; ours
- ਸਗਾਈSagaiThe engagement ceremony in a Punjabi wedding, when the couple exchange rings and the two families formally accept the match
- ਸਹਜ ਪਾਠsahaj pathA complete reading of the Guru Granth Sahib done slowly in sittings, at the reader's own pace, with no time limit
- ਸਾਲੀsaliWife's sister; one kind of sister-in-law, seen from the husband's side
- ਸੰਮੀsammitraditional slow circle folk dance of the Sandalbar and Pothohar belt, best known as a women's dance
- ਸਮੋਸਾsamosaFried pastry with spiced filling
- ਸੰਗਤsangatCompany; a congregation
- ਸੰਗੀਤSangeetA pre-wedding evening of music, song and dance, when the two families celebrate the couple before the wedding
- ਸੰਤੋਖsantokhcontentment; the peace of wanting no more than one has
- ਸੱਪsappA wooden lattice clapper instrument of Punjab, expanded and collapsed in both hands; also called chhikka
- ਸਰੰਦਾSarandaBowed string instrument of Sikh kirtan, associated with Guru Arjan Dev Ji
- ਸਾਰੰਗੀsarangibowed folk fiddle, the dhadi singer's lead instrument
- ਸਰਬਾਲਾsarbalathe groom's companion at a wedding: a younger brother, nephew or cousin who stays beside him as his protector
- ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾsarbat da bhalaThe good of all people
- ਸਰਦੀsardiCold; winter
- ਸਰਪੰਚsarpanchThe elected head of a village Gram Panchayat in Punjab
- ਸਰਸੋਂsarsonMustard; winter's yellow-flowered crop
- ਸਰਸੋਂ ਦਾ ਸਾਗsarson da saagSlow-cooked mustard greens, Punjab's winter dish
- ਸੱਥsathVillage common; elders' gathering platform
- ਸਤਿਨਾਮsatnamTrue Name; God is Truth
- ਸਤਸੰਗsatsangHoly congregation; company of the truthful
- ਸੌ ਸੁਨਿਆਰ ਦੀ, ਇੱਕ ਲੁਹਾਰ ਦੀsau suniar di, ik luhar diOne strong, decisive blow outweighs a hundred light ones; one strong action beats many small efforts
- ਸਹੁਰਾsauhrafather-in-law: the father of your husband or wife
- ਸਾਉਣੀsauniThe Punjabi name for the Kharif season, the monsoon cropping season sown in June to July and harvested in autumn
- ਸਵੇਰੇsavereIn the morning
- ਸਾਵਣsawanthe fifth Punjabi month; the monsoon month of rains (mid July to mid August)
- ਸੀਨSceneThe plan, the situation, or what is happening
- ਸੀਨਾseenaChest; courage, pride
- ਸੇਹਰਾsehraThe groom's decorative forehead veil of flowers or beads, tied to his turban
- ਸੈਟਿੰਗSettingAn arrangement that has been fixed, or a romantic link between two people
- ਸੇਵਾsevaSelfless service
- ਸ਼ਾਮshaamEvening
- ਸ਼ਬਦshabadSacred hymn; the Word
- ਸ਼ਗਨshagunauspicious gift of money or goods given as a blessing, especially at a wedding
- ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀShantipeace, calm; inner quiet, absence of disturbance
- ਸ਼ਰਮsharamshame, shyness and modesty; also a sense of honour
- ਸਰੀਰshareerthe body, the bodily frame
- ਸ਼ਹਿਰsheherCity; town
- ਸਿਹਾਰੀSihariGurmukhi vowel sign for the short i sound (ਿ)
- ਸਿੱਕਾ ਜੰਮਣਾsikka jamnato become established as an authority: your word carries weight and your standing is accepted
- ਸਿਮਰਨsimranRemembrance of God
- ਸਿੰਜਾਈsinjaiIrrigation; watering of fields
- ਸਿਪਾਹੀsipahiA soldier; also a police constable
- ਸਿਰ ਧੜ ਦੀ ਬਾਜ਼ੀ ਲਾਉਣਾsir dhar di bazi launaTo risk one's very life
- ਸਿਰਾsiraatop class, the very best (slang); end, tip
- ਸਿਰsirrhead
- ਸਿੱਠਣੀਆਂsithniyanTeasing wedding songs sung by the bride's side to make fun of the groom's side
- ਸਿਆਲ਼SiyalWinter, the cold season, in the traditional naming of the seasons
- ਸਿਆਪਾsiyapaMourning and wailing; in modern Punjabi slang, any problem, trouble or messy drama
- ਸੋਹਣਾsohnaBeautiful, handsome; also nice, dear or beloved
- ਸੋਕਾsokaDrought; a long period with too little rain
- ਸੌਣਾsonaTo sleep
- ਸੁਹਾਗsuhagMarital good fortune; also the wedding songs sung for a bride
- ਸੁਹਾਗਾsuhagaheavy plank leveller dragged over ploughed fields
- ਸੁੱਖsukhPeace, comfort and happiness
- ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸਾਹਿਬsukhmani sahibGuru Arjan Dev Ji's long prayer in Raag Gauri, known as the Psalm of Peace and the consoler of the mind
- ਸੁਕੂਨsukoonPeace, rest and tranquillity of mind; inner stillness
- ਸੁਨਿਆਰsuniarGoldsmith; maker of gold jewellery
- ਸੁਣਨਾsunnaTo hear, to listen, to pay attention
- ਸੁਣੋsunolisten (polite command)
- ਤਾਈtaaiFather's elder brother's wife; paternal aunt
- ਤਾਲtaalrhythmic cycle; beat; also cymbals
- ਤਾਰਾtaaraStar
- ਤਬਲਾTablaA pair of small hand drums, the principal percussion instrument of Hindustani classical music and of Punjabi kirtan
- ਤੜਕਾTadkaTempering: whole spices crackled in hot ghee or oil and poured over a dish
- ਤੈਨੂੰtainuTo you (familiar, singular)
- ਤਖ਼ਤtakhtThrone; seat of Sikh authority
- ਤੰਦੂਰtandoorCylindrical clay oven for breads and roasts
- ਟੱਪੇtappayShort Punjabi folk couplets, sung as playful teasing banter, often at weddings
- ਤਰਸtaraspity, compassion and mercy: the soft feeling that moves a person to help or forgive
- ਤਰਖਾਣtarkhanCarpenter; woodworker
- ਟਸ਼ਨtashanStyle, flair and confident attitude, a person's whole swagger
- ਟੌਰtaurStyle, flair and swag: the confident way a person looks and carries themselves
- ਤਾਊਸTausPeacock-shaped bowed string instrument of Sikh kirtan, credited by tradition to Guru Hargobind Ji
- ਤਾਇਆtayaFather's elder brother; paternal uncle
- ਤੇਲੀTeliAn oil presser and oil seller, who crushes oilseeds in a kolhu and sells the oil
- ਤੇਰਾteraYour; yours (informal, singular)
- ਠਂਢthandCold, coldness; the chill of winter weather
- ਠੀਕtheekFine, okay, correct, all right
- ਠੇਕੇਦਾਰthekedarContractor, a person who takes a contract to do a job
- ਥੋੜ੍ਹਾthodaA little, a few, slight: a small amount
- ਟਿੱਪੀTippiGurmukhi nasal sign (ੰ)
- ਤ੍ਰੇਲtrelDew: the drops of water that form on grass and leaves overnight
- ਤੂੰtuYou (informal, intimate, singular)
- ਤੂੜੀtudi, also written toorichopped wheat straw, the dry fodder stored after the harvest and fed to cattle through the year
- ਤੂਫ਼ਾਨtufaanstorm: a violent storm of wind and rain, a tempest
- ਤੁਹਾਡਾtuhadaYour; yours (polite, plural)
- ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰtuhanuTo you (polite or plural)
- ਤੂੰਬੀtumbiPunjab's one-string folk instrument
- ਤੁਸੀਂtusiYou (polite, plural)
- ਉੱਚੀ ਦੁਕਾਨ, ਫਿੱਕਾ ਪਕਵਾਨucchi dukaan, fikka pakwaanA big name with poor quality; all show, no substance
- ਉਦਾਸੀudasisadness, low spirits: a quiet feeling of sorrow or dejection
- ਉਮੀਦUmmeedhope, expectation; the belief that something good will come
- ਉਂਗਲungalfinger: one of the five jointed parts at the end of the hand
- ਊੜਾUraFirst letter of the Gurmukhi alphabet (ੳ), the vowel bearer for u, oo and o
- ਉਸਤਾਦustaadteacher, master: a master of an art, craft or skill who teaches others
- ਉੱਠਣਾuthnaTo rise; to wake up
- ਵਾਲvaalHair: a single hair, or hair on the head and body in general
- ਵਾਢੀvadhiHarvesting: cutting and gathering a ripe crop; above all the wheat harvest of April and May in Punjab
- ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂvaheguruWondrous Lord; Sikh name of God
- ਵੈਦVaidA traditional Ayurvedic healer or physician in Punjab, who treats illness with herbs, diet and pulse diagnosis
- ਵੈਸਾਖvaisakhthe second month of the Punjabi year, mid-April to mid-May
- ਵਕੀਲvakilA lawyer or advocate; also an authorised representative
- ਵੰਡ ਛਕਣਾvand chhaknashare what you have and eat together
- ਵਟਣਾvatnaTurmeric and mustard oil paste applied to bride and groom before the wedding, and the rite itself
- ਵੀਰveera brother, especially an elder brother, addressed with affection and respect; also brave, a hero
- ਵੇਹੜਾvehraCourtyard; open heart of the house
- ਵੇਖਣਾvekhnaTo see, to look, to watch
- ਵੇਖੋvekholook (polite command)
- ਵੇਹਲਾvellaidle and unoccupied, with no work in hand, said in teasing
- ਵਿਦਾਈvidaaiA farewell; at a wedding, the bride's formal departure from her parents' home
- ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸvishwastrust, faith and belief
- ਵਿਆਹvyahMarriage; wedding
- ਵਕਤwaqtTime; the right moment, a chance
- ਯਾਦyaadmemory; remembrance; remembering or missing someone
- ਯਾਰyaarfriend, mate, buddy: the warm informal word for a close friend
- ਜ਼ਮੀਨzameenLand; earth
- ਜ਼ਿਮੀਂਦਾਰzamindarLandowner; holder of farmland
- ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀzindagiLife; a lifetime
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