Order anything by pointing in Punjabi
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. 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
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ... ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈMAI-noo ... CHAA-hee-daa hai
- I would like...
- ਇਹ ਵਾਲਾih VAA-laa
- This one
- ਇਹ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਦਾ ਹੈ?ih KIN-nay daa HAI
- How much is it?
- ਬਿੱਲ ਲੈ ਆਓ, ਜੀBIL lai AA-o jee
- The bill, please
- ਕਾਰਡ ਨਾਲKAARD naal
- By card
- ਨਕਦna-KAD
- In cash
- ਪਾਣੀPAA-nee
- Water
- ਕੌਫ਼ੀKAU-fee
- Coffee
- ਚਾਹchaah
- Tea
- ਬੀਅਰBEE-ar
- Beer
- ... ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾਂton bi-NAAN
- Without...
Literally "to me ... is wanted".
Point and say ih vaala to indicate exactly what you want from a shelf, a bin of lentils, or a display of vegetables. The -vaala suffix is one of the most versatile words in Punjabi.
The essential market phrase. Kinne (how much) plus da (of) plus hai (is). Tone matters: curious and friendly opens negotiation, aggressive closes it.
Literally "bring the bill, please." At dhabas the bill is often calculated verbally; at restaurants a printed receipt is standard. Splitting bills publicly is less common; one person usually pays.
UPI phone payments are even more common.
Tea, ਚਾਹ (CHAA), is the everyday drink. Lassi is the Punjabi classic.
ਖੰਡ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾਂ (KHAND ton bi-NAAN), without sugar.