Greetings and politeness in Punjabi
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Punjabi words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Punjabi phrases in this lesson
- ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲsat-SREE-a-KAAL
- Hello
- ਸ਼ੁਭ ਸਵੇਰSHUBH sa-VER
- Good morning
- ਸ਼ੁਭ ਸ਼ਾਮSHUBH SHAAM
- Good evening
- ਅਲਵਿਦਾal-vi-DAA
- Goodbye
- ਫਿਰ ਮਿਲਾਂਗੇphir mi-LAAN-ge
- See you
- ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇKIR-paa kar-KE
- Please
- ਧੰਨਵਾਦdhan-VAAD
- Thank you
- ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂKO-ee GAL na-HEEN
- You're welcome
- ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾMAAF kar-NAA
- Sorry
- ਜ਼ਰਾ ਸੁਣਨਾza-RAA SUN-naa
- Excuse me
- ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ੀ ਹੋਈtu-HAA-noo MIL ke khu-SHEE HO-ee
- Nice to meet you
The traditional Sikh greeting, meaning "God is eternal." Used by Sikhs as both hello and goodbye. Non-Sikhs are welcome to use it too; locals will appreciate the effort.
Formal and literary. In everyday speech, Punjabis often just say "Sat Sri Akal" or "good morning" in English. Shubh (auspicious) starts many blessings and wishes.
Formal. In daily life ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ (sat-SREE-a-KAAL) covers the evening.
A formal, somewhat literary farewell. In practice, Punjabis part with "Sat Sri Akal," "Chalo ji" (OK, I'll go), or simply "bye." Alvida carries a note of finality, so save it for real departures.
Literally "we'll meet again". ਅਲਵਿਦਾ (al-vi-DAA) sounds like a farewell forever.
Formal please, heard in announcements and polite requests. In spoken Punjabi, politeness is often built into the tone and verb endings rather than a separate word. Ji at the end of a sentence softens any request.
Everyday thanks. "Shukriya" (borrowed from Urdu/Persian) is equally common and very warm. Among close family and friends, Punjabis often thank through action and food rather than words.
Literally "it's no matter", the everyday reply to thanks and to apologies.
Literally "forgive", the everyday apology.
Literally "listen a moment", the polite way to get someone's attention.
Literally "meeting you made me happy".