ਕਾਲਾ
kālā
The Punjabi word for black is ਕਾਲਾ (kālā).
ਕਾਲਾ is an adjective used to describe something that is black, meaning it absorbs all light. When you want to specifically refer to the color black itself, you can use the phrase Kaala Rang, which combines the word for black with Rang, meaning color.
Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)
Which one should you use?
If you are describing a feminine noun, use the form Kaali.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use ਕਾਲਾ (kālā) for masculine nouns and Kaali for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
kālā
Did you know?
- The word ਕਾਲਾ is used in the phrase ਕਾਲਾ ਪਾਣੀ to refer to the 'Black Water'. Historically, this referred to the crossing of the ocean to be exiled to cellular jails in the Andaman Islands.
- The word ਕਾਲਾ shares an ancient root with the Sanskrit word for 'time', which is ਕਾਲ (Kāla). In this context, it represents the inevitable and consuming nature of time.
- In Punjabi culture, the word ਕਾਲਾ can be used as a protective charm. A small black dot of kohl, called a ਕਾਲਾ ਟਿੱਕਾ, is often placed on a child's forehead to ward off the 'evil eye'.
Examples in context
- ਕੁੜੀ ਨੇ ਕਾਲੇ ਰੰਗ ਦੀ ਡ੍ਰੈੱਸ ਪਾਈ ਹੈ।The girl is wearing a black dress.
- ਮੈਂ ਸਿਆਹ ਪੰਪਸ ਪਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ।I'm wearing black pumps.
- ਉਸ ਕੋਲ ਇੱਕ ਕਾਲਾ ਬੈਗ ਹੈ।us kol ik kālā baig hai.He has a black bag.
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕਾਲਾ ਰੰਗ ਪਸੰਦ ਹੈ।mainū kālā rang pasand hai.I like the color black.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at clothes in a shop.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਕੀ ਇਹ ਕਾਲਾ ਰੰਗ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਹੈ?kī ih kālā rang sōhaṇā hai?Is this black color beautiful?
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ ਲੱਗ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।hāṅ, ih bahut vadhīā lag rihā hai.Yes, it looks very good.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਲੱਗ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ?tuhānū ih kivāṅ lag rihā hai?How does it look to you?
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਇਹ ਤੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਜਚੇਗਾ।Prīt, ih tērē uttē bahut jacegā.Preet, it will suit you very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ਕਾਲਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
