ਬੱਚਾ
baccā/bət̪.t͡ʃäː/
The English word "baby" is translated into Punjabi as ਬੱਚਾ (baccā).
The term refers to a very young human being.
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ਬੱਚਾ is the standard term, the informal term bachcha can also be used to refer to a baby. Additionally, the informal endearing term Pūttar can be used to mean "son" or "child".
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to more than one baby or child, use the plural form ਬੱਚੇ (baccē).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as baccā (/bət̪.tʃäː/). It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- The word ਬੱਚਾ comes from Classical Persian, which evolved from the Proto-Indo-Iranian root watsás.
- If you call a baby ਲਾਡਲਾ (lāḍlā), you are not just saying they are a 'baby', but specifically describing them as one who is deeply 'pampered' or 'spoiled' by love.
- An older person might address a grown man as ਬੱਚਾ to show seniority, using the word as a sign of protective tenderness rather than an insult to his maturity.
Examples in context
- ਬੱਚਾ ਸੌ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।bachā sau rihā hai.The baby is sleeping.
- ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਬੱਚਾ ਹੈ।ih bahut pi'ārā bachā hai.This is a very cute baby.
- ਬੱਚਾ ਰੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।bachā rō rihā hai.The baby is crying.
Example conversation
Aman and Simran are visiting a friend's house.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਕੀ ਬੱਚਾ ਹੁਣ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਹੈ?kī bachā hun śānt hai?Is the baby calm now?
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਹਾਂ, ਬੱਚਾ ਹੁਣ ਸੌ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।hā̃, bachā hun sau rihā hai.Yes, the baby is sleeping now.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਬੱਚਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਿਆਰਾ ਲੱਗ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।bachā bahut pi'ārā lagg rihā hai.The baby looks very cute.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਅਮਨ!dhanvād, Aman!Thank you, Aman!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ਬੱਚਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਬੱਚਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
