ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ

Hello in Punjabi is ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ (Sat Sri Akal). One greeting covers the whole day: morning, market, gurdwara and the phone. It belongs to the Sikh tradition and is used by Punjabis of every background, and a learner who masters it, with folded hands and a ਜੀ (ji) for elders, has the key to every door in Punjab.

The phrase, part by part

ਸਤਿ (sat) - truth, that which is eternal

ਸ੍ਰੀ (sri) - honourable, a mark of reverence

ਅਕਾਲ (akaal) - the Timeless One, God, who is beyond time and death

ਕਿੱਦਾਂ (kiddan) - how is it going; the informal hello between friends

When to use it

Say ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਜੀ (Sat Sri Akal ji) to elders, teachers and anyone you meet formally, hands folded if you like. The greeting also answers the phone across Punjab: pick up and say Sat Sri Akal ji, and the caller knows exactly where they have reached. The victory salutation of the Khalsa, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਹਿ, belongs to religious gatherings and is answered with the jaikara.

Among friends your own age, expect ਕਿੱਦਾਂ (kiddan) instead: how is it going, said with a grin. ਨਮਸਤੇ (Namaste) and ਨਮਸਕਾਰ (Namaskar) are understood everywhere, and ਸਲਾਮ (Salaam) is heard too, but Sat Sri Akal is the greeting that sounds like home.

What people say back

ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਜੀ (Sat Sri Akal ji) - the same greeting returned, with respect

ਠੀਕ ਹਾਂ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸੁਣਾਓ (theek haan, tussi sunaao) - I am fine, you tell me; the reply to kiddan

ਆਓ ਜੀ, ਬੈਠੋ ਜੀ (aao ji, baitho ji) - come in, please sit; the greeting continues into hospitality

How do you say hello in Punjabi?

Hello in Punjabi is ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ (Sat Sri Akal). It is used at every hour, and adding ਜੀ (ji) makes it respectful.

What does Sat Sri Akal mean?

Sat Sri Akal means God is the eternal truth: ਸਤਿ (sat), truth, ਸ੍ਰੀ (sri), honourable, ਅਕਾਲ (akaal), the Timeless One. It is the salutation of the Sikh tradition.

How do you say hello on the phone in Punjabi?

Answer the phone with ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ ਜੀ (Sat Sri Akal ji), as most Punjabis do, or with ਹੈਲੋ (hello), which is also common in cities.