ਬੈਠੋ

What does baitho mean in Punjabi?

Baitho (ਬੈਠੋ) means 'sit down' in Punjabi. It is the polite way of inviting someone to sit, used with elders, guests and strangers, or with a group, and it comes from the verb baithna, 'to sit'. You will hear it the moment a guest arrives at a Punjabi home: 'aao, baitho', come in, sit down, often followed at once by an offer of water or tea.

Where does baitho come from?

Baitho comes from the verb baithna (ਬੈਠਣਾ), 'to sit'. Wiktionary traces it to Prakrit uvaviṭṭha, from Sanskrit upaviṣṭa, 'seated', built from upa-, 'near', and viṣṭa, 'seated'. The stem is baiṭh, and baitho is the stem with the polite ending o added. The same verb lives in Hindi and Urdu as baiṭhnā, 'to sit'.

How is baitho used in everyday speech?

Baitho is the first word of Punjabi hospitality. 'Aao, baitho' welcomes a guest, 'ithe baitho' points to a seat, and 'aram naal baitho' means sit comfortably, take your time. It is heard in homes, in classrooms, at weddings and on the charpai in the courtyard, wherever people gather. It also turns up in gentle orders to children: 'chup karke baitho', sit quietly.

Baitho, baith and baithio: which form should you use?

Punjabi changes the ending to show respect. With tu, the familiar 'you' for a close friend or a child, the command is the bare stem: baith, sit. With tusi, the polite 'you' for elders and strangers, and for any group, it is baitho. A still softer form is the jussive baithio, which sounds like a gentle request, 'please sit'. To ask someone not to sit, put na after the verb: 'na baitho', do not sit.