ਧੰਨਵਾਦ

Thank you in Punjabi is ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (dhannvaad). It is the word to reach for with everyone, from a shopkeeper to a stranger who held the door, and it turns warmer with one small word added: ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਜੀ (dhannvaad ji), thank you with respect. This page gives the forms, the deeper way to thank someone, and what Punjabis say back.

The phrase, part by part

ਧੰਨ (dhann) - blessed, fortunate; the root carries the sense of a blessing

ਵਾਦ (vaad) - speech, a saying; together, a saying of blessedness

ਮਿਹਰਬਾਨੀ (meharbaani) - kindness; on its own it also works as a thank you, your kindness

ਸ਼ੁਕਰੀਆ (shukria) - thanks, heard everywhere in Punjab too, a word shared with Urdu

When to use it

For most thanks, plain ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (dhannvaad) is enough, and ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (tuhaada dhannvaad), literally your thanks, I thank you, suits elders and formal moments. When someone has done something big for you, go further: ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਿਹਰਬਾਨੀ (tuhaadi bahut meharbaani), it is a great kindness of yours. That sentence is remembered.

You will also hear English thank you all over Punjab's cities, often in the same breath as the Punjabi. Nobody minds. But a learner who says ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਜੀ (dhannvaad ji) to a grandmother will see the difference it makes: it is the sound of respect, and respect is the currency of a Punjabi home.

What people say back

ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ (koi gall nahi) - no problem, do not mention it; the everyday reply

ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ (ji aaiyaan nu) - you are welcome; literally, may you keep coming

ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਸੁਆਗਤ ਹੈ (tuhaada suaagat hai) - you are welcome, the formal form

How do you say thank you in Punjabi?

Thank you in Punjabi is ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (dhannvaad). Say ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਜੀ (dhannvaad ji) to add respect, and ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (tuhaada dhannvaad) in formal speech.

What is the reply to dhannvaad?

The usual reply is ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ (koi gall nahi), no problem at all. You may also hear ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ (ji aaiyaan nu), you are welcome.

Is shukria a Punjabi word?

ਸ਼ੁਕਰੀਆ (shukria) is understood and used across Punjab, though it came through Urdu. ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (dhannvaad) is the Punjabi word itself, and the safer choice for a learner.