ਗਾਲ੍ਹਾਂ
gālhā̃
The English phrase "bad words" is translated into Punjabi as ਗਾਲ੍ਹਾਂ (gālhā̃).
ਗਾਲ੍ਹਾਂ refers to offensive or vulgar language used to insult someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of this word is ਗਾਲ਼ (gaal), which refers to a single bad word or insult.
How do you pronounce it?
gālhā̃
Did you know?
- In some rural Punjabi cultures, certain ਗਾਲ੍ਹਾਂ are used between very close male friends as a sign of intimacy and brotherhood rather than hostility.
- Unlike the English 'swear', which can be used lightly, a ਗਾਲ੍ਹ in Punjabi is often viewed as an attack on a person's entire lineage or family honor.
- In some rural Punjabi settings, certain ਗਾਲ੍ਹ are actually used rhythmically in folk songs or storytelling to depict character conflict, though they remain forbidden in polite conversation.
Examples in context
- ਉਸਨੇ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਗਾਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ।Usne mainu gaalan dittiyan.He swore at me.
- ਬੱਚਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਗਾਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੱਢਣੀਆਂ ਚਾਹੀਦੀਆਂ।Bachiyan de saahmane gaalan nahi kaddniyan chahidiyan.One should not use bad words in front of children.
- ਗਾਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਕੱਢਣਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਾੜੀ ਗੱਲ ਹੈ।Gaalan kaddhna bahut maari gall hai.Using bad words is a very bad thing.
Example conversation
Aman and Manpreet are discussing a fight they saw.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਕੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਇੱਕ ਦੂਜੇ ਨੂੰ ਗਾਲ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ?kī unhāṃ nē ik dūjē nū gālāṃ dittī'āṃ?Did they use bad words toward each other?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਸਨ।hāṃ, uh bahut gussē san.Yes, they were very angry.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਾੜੀ ਗੱਲ ਹੈ।ih bahut māṛī galla hai.That is a very bad thing.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਮੈਂ ਸਹਿਮਤ ਹਾਂ, ਅਮਨ।mai sahmat hāṃ, aman.I agree, Aman.
