ਬੌਸ
boss
The English word "boss" is translated into Punjabi as ਬੌਸ.
ਬੌਸ refers to a person in charge. While ਬੌਸ is used to mean boss, Punjabi speakers also use other terms depending on the context of leadership. For a leader or chief, one might use Sardar or Jathedar. To show respect to a person of authority, the honorific Sahib is often added to a name or title.
Meaning: person in charge (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
boss
When do people say it?
Using Sahib denotes respect and is often used to address a person of authority, while Sirji is a colloquial and affectionate term used to address a boss informally in Punjabi.
Did you know?
- While ਬੌਸ is a loanword, the term Sardar originally referred to a military commander or head of a tribe. Today it is a common title for leadership and a primary identifier for members of the Sikh faith.
- While English speakers use 'boss' to denote power, adding the suffix -ji to a title is the most common way to show professional deference in Punjabi.
- Using the loanword ਬੌਸ can signal a Westernized corporate identity or a deliberate social distance between the speaker and the manager.
Examples in context
- ਮੇਰਾ ਬੌਸ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਿਹਨਤੀ ਹੈ।merā bōs bahuta mihanatī hai.My boss is very hardworking.
- ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਬੌਸ ਘਰ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ?kī tuhāḍā bōs ghara gi'ā hai?Has your boss gone home?
- ਬੌਸ ਨੇ ਨਵੀਂ ਫਾਈਲ ਮੰਗੀ ਹੈ।bōs ne navī phāila mangī hai.The boss has asked for a new file.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about a meeting in the office.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਸਿਮਰਨ, ਕੀ ਬੌਸ ਆ ਗਏ ਹਨ?Simran, kī boss ā gaē han?Simran, has the boss arrived?
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੈਬਿਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ।hāṃ, uh āpaṇē cabin vich han.Yes, he is in his cabin.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਮੈਨੂੰ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣਾ ਪਵੇਗਾ।mainū uhnāṃ nū milṇā pavēgā.I will have to meet him.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਅਮਨ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ।ṭhīk hai, Aman, tusīṃ jā sakdē hō.Okay, Aman, you may go.
