Building Your Child's Punjabi Vocabulary
Vocabulary is the building block of language learning. This guide provides essential Punjabi words organized by category, making it easy to learn in themed groups.
Each word includes the Gurmukhi script, romanized pronunciation, and English meaning.
Family Members (ਪਰਿਵਾਰ - Parivaar)
| Punjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਮਾਂ | Maa | Mother |
| ਪਿਤਾ / ਬਾਪੂ | Pita / Baapu | Father |
| ਭੈਣ | Bhain | Sister |
| ਭਰਾ | Bhra | Brother |
| ਦਾਦੀ | Daadi | Paternal Grandmother |
| ਦਾਦਾ | Daada | Paternal Grandfather |
| ਨਾਨੀ | Naani | Maternal Grandmother |
| ਨਾਨਾ | Naana | Maternal Grandfather |
| ਚਾਚਾ | Chaacha | Uncle (Father's brother) |
| ਚਾਚੀ | Chaachi | Aunt (Father's brother's wife) |
| ਮਾਮਾ | Maama | Uncle (Mother's brother) |
| ਮਾਮੀ | Maami | Aunt (Mother's brother's wife) |
| ਬੱਚਾ | Bachcha | Child |
| ਬੱਚੀ | Bachchi | Girl child |
| ਪੁੱਤਰ | Puttar | Son |
| ਧੀ | Dhee | Daughter |
Learning Tip: Start with immediate family (Maa, Pita, Bhain, Bhra) before moving to extended family.
Colors (ਰੰਗ - Rang)
| Punjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਲਾਲ | Laal | Red |
| ਨੀਲਾ | Neela | Blue |
| ਹਰਾ | Hara | Green |
| ਪੀਲਾ | Peela | Yellow |
| ਕਾਲਾ | Kaala | Black |
| ਚਿੱਟਾ | Chitta | White |
| ਸੰਤਰੀ | Santri | Orange |
| ਗੁਲਾਬੀ | Gulaabi | Pink |
| ਜਾਮਣੀ | Jaamni | Purple |
| ਭੂਰਾ | Bhoora | Brown |
| ਸਲੇਟੀ | Sleti | Gray |
| ਸੁਨਹਿਰਾ | Sunehira | Golden |
Activity: Point to objects around the house and ask "Eh ki rang hai?" (What color is this?)
Numbers (ਗਿਣਤੀ - Ginti)
| Punjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਇੱਕ | Ikk | One |
| ਦੋ | Do | Two |
| ਤਿੰਨ | Tin | Three |
| ਚਾਰ | Chaar | Four |
| ਪੰਜ | Panj | Five |
| ਛੇ | Chhe | Six |
| ਸੱਤ | Sat | Seven |
| ਅੱਠ | Atth | Eight |
| ਨੌਂ | Nau | Nine |
| ਦਸ | Das | Ten |
| ਵੀਹ | Veeh | Twenty |
| ਪੰਜਾਹ | Panjah | Fifty |
| ਸੌ | Sau | Hundred |
Activity: Count objects together - "Ikk seb, do seb, tin seb..." (One apple, two apples, three apples...)
Animals (ਜਾਨਵਰ - Jaanvar)
| Punjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਕੁੱਤਾ | Kutta | Dog |
| ਬਿੱਲੀ | Billi | Cat |
| ਗਾਂ | Gaan | Cow |
| ਮੱਝ | Majh | Buffalo |
| ਘੋੜਾ | Ghora | Horse |
| ਹਾਥੀ | Haathi | Elephant |
| ਸ਼ੇਰ | Sher | Lion |
| ਬਾਂਦਰ | Bander | Monkey |
| ਖਰਗੋਸ਼ | Khargosh | Rabbit |
| ਚਿੜੀ | Chiri | Sparrow |
| ਮੋਰ | Mor | Peacock |
| ਮੱਛੀ | Machhi | Fish |
| ਤਿੱਤਲੀ | Titli | Butterfly |
| ਕਾਂ | Kaan | Crow |
Activity: Make animal sounds together - "Kutta ki awaaz? Bhau bhau!"
Body Parts (ਸਰੀਰ ਦੇ ਅੰਗ - Sareer de Ang)
| Punjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਸਿਰ | Sir | Head |
| ਵਾਲ | Vaal | Hair |
| ਅੱਖਾਂ | Akkhaan | Eyes |
| ਕੰਨ | Kann | Ears |
| ਨੱਕ | Nakk | Nose |
| ਮੂੰਹ | Munh | Mouth |
| ਦੰਦ | Dand | Teeth |
| ਜੀਭ | Jeebh | Tongue |
| ਹੱਥ | Hath | Hand |
| ਪੈਰ | Pair | Foot/Leg |
| ਢਿੱਡ | Dhidd | Stomach |
| ਪਿੱਠ | Pitth | Back |
Activity: Play "Simon Says" in Punjabi - "Apna sir chhoo" (Touch your head)
Food (ਖਾਣਾ - Khaana)
| Punjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਰੋਟੀ | Roti | Flatbread |
| ਚਾਵਲ | Chaaval | Rice |
| ਦਾਲ | Daal | Lentils |
| ਸਬਜ਼ੀ | Sabzi | Vegetables |
| ਫਲ | Phal | Fruit |
| ਸੇਬ | Seb | Apple |
| ਕੇਲਾ | Kela | Banana |
| ਅੰਬ | Amb | Mango |
| ਦੁੱਧ | Dudh | Milk |
| ਪਾਣੀ | Paani | Water |
| ਚਾਹ | Chaah | Tea |
| ਮੱਖਣ | Makhan | Butter |
| ਲੱਸੀ | Lassi | Buttermilk |
| ਮਿਠਾਈ | Mithaai | Sweets |
Activity: Cook together and name ingredients in Punjabi.
Common Verbs (ਕਿਰਿਆ - Kiriya)
| Punjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਖਾਣਾ | Khaana | To eat |
| ਪੀਣਾ | Peena | To drink |
| ਸੌਣਾ | Sauna | To sleep |
| ਖੇਡਣਾ | Khedna | To play |
| ਪੜ੍ਹਨਾ | Parhna | To read/study |
| ਲਿਖਣਾ | Likhna | To write |
| ਬੋਲਣਾ | Bolna | To speak |
| ਸੁਣਨਾ | Sunna | To listen |
| ਦੇਖਣਾ | Dekhna | To see/watch |
| ਜਾਣਾ | Jaana | To go |
| ਆਉਣਾ | Aaunaa | To come |
| ਬੈਠਣਾ | Baithna | To sit |
Common Phrases (ਆਮ ਵਾਕ)
| Punjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ | Sat Sri Akaal | Hello (Sikh greeting) |
| ਕਿਦਾਂ? | Kidaan? | How are you? |
| ਠੀਕ ਹੈ | Theek hai | I'm fine / Okay |
| ਧੰਨਵਾਦ | Dhanvaad | Thank you |
| ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ | Maaf karna | Sorry |
| ਹਾਂ | Haan | Yes |
| ਨਹੀਂ | Naheen | No |
| ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ | Kirpa karke | Please |
| ਸ਼ੁਭ ਰਾਤ | Shubh raat | Good night |
| ਅਲਵਿਦਾ | Alvida | Goodbye |
Weather (ਮੌਸਮ - Mausam)
| Punjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਧੁੱਪ | Dhup | Sunshine |
| ਮੀਂਹ | Meenh | Rain |
| ਬੱਦਲ | Baddal | Clouds |
| ਹਵਾ | Havaa | Wind |
| ਗਰਮੀ | Garmi | Hot/Summer |
| ਸਰਦੀ | Sardi | Cold/Winter |
| ਬਰਫ਼ | Baraf | Snow/Ice |
Days of the Week (ਹਫ਼ਤੇ ਦੇ ਦਿਨ)
| Punjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਸੋਮਵਾਰ | Somvaar | Monday |
| ਮੰਗਲਵਾਰ | Mangalvaar | Tuesday |
| ਬੁੱਧਵਾਰ | Budhvaar | Wednesday |
| ਵੀਰਵਾਰ | Veervaar | Thursday |
| ਸ਼ੁੱਕਰਵਾਰ | Shukarvaar | Friday |
| ਸ਼ਨਿੱਚਰਵਾਰ | Shanicharvaar | Saturday |
| ਐਤਵਾਰ | Aitvaar | Sunday |
Vocabulary Learning Tips
1. Learn in Context
Don't memorize isolated words. Use them in sentences and real situations.
2. Use Flashcards
Create flashcards with the Gurmukhi script, pronunciation, and pictures.
3. Label Your Home
Put Punjabi labels on objects around the house.
4. Daily Practice
Learn 3-5 new words each day rather than 50 words once a week.
5. Use Multiple Senses
See the word, hear it, say it, write it.
6. Review Regularly
Revisit learned words often to move them to long-term memory.
Conclusion
Building vocabulary is a gradual process. Focus on words your child can use in daily life, and expand from there. Consistency and practical application are key.
Want interactive vocabulary lessons for your child? Join Lipi for engaging word games, flashcards, and activities that make learning Punjabi vocabulary fun!
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