ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ

Please in Punjabi is ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ (kirpa karke). Unlike English, Punjabi does not sprinkle one small word through every request; it has the formal phrase for letters and announcements, and for real life it has ਜੀ (ji), the little word of respect that turns an order into a request. This page teaches both, because knowing when each belongs is the real skill.

The phrase, part by part

ਕਿਰਪਾ (kirpa) - grace, kindness, mercy; in Sikh teaching, the grace of God

ਕਰਕੇ (karke) - by doing; kirpa karke is literally by doing a kindness

ਮਿਹਰਬਾਨੀ ਕਰਕੇ (meharbaani karke) - the same request in a softer dress, by your kindness

ਜੀ (ji) - the respect word; added to a name, an answer or a request

When to use it

Write ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ (kirpa karke) in a letter, a notice or a request to an office: ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਦਰਵਾਜ਼ਾ ਬੰਦ ਕਰ ਦਿਓ (kirpa karke darvaaza band kar dio), please close the door. At home and in the street, do it the Punjabi way instead: the request plus ji, ਪਾਣੀ ਲਿਆਓ ਜੀ (paani liaao ji), please bring water, ਬੈਠੋ ਜੀ (baitho ji), please sit. The words are a command; the ji makes them a courtesy.

One warning that matters more than any phrase: never pair a request to an elder with the intimate ਤੂੰ (tu) forms. The respectful verb endings plus ji are the please of everyday Punjabi, and getting them right marks a learner as someone who was taught well. The natural partners of this page are thank you and sorry.

What people say back

ਜੀ, ਜ਼ਰੂਰ (ji, zaroor) - yes, certainly; the willing answer

ਹੁਣੇ ਲਿਆਇਆ (hune liaaya) - I will bring it right away, said by a man

ਬੈਠੋ ਜੀ, ਚਾਹ ਬਣਦੀ ਹੈ (baitho ji, chah bandi hai) - please sit, tea is being made; the Punjabi answer to everything

How do you say please in Punjabi?

Please in Punjabi is ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ (kirpa karke) in formal use. In everyday speech, add ਜੀ (ji) to the request: ਬੈਠੋ ਜੀ (baitho ji), please sit.

Is there a single Punjabi word for please?

There is no single everyday word; the phrase ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ (kirpa karke) does the formal work, and the respect word ਜੀ (ji) does it in speech. Together they cover every situation.

How do you say please sit in Punjabi?

Please sit is ਬੈਠੋ ਜੀ (baitho ji). You will hear it in every Punjabi home the moment you arrive, usually followed by an offer of tea.