ਗੱਡੀ
gaḍḍī/ɡəɖ.ɖiː/Gurmukhi
The English word "car" can be translated into Punjabi as ਗੱਡੀ (gaḍḍī). Wiktionary also lists گَڈّی (gaḍḍī).
Meaning: automobile, a vehicle steered by a driver (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਗੱਡੀ | gaḍḍī | /ɡəɖ.ɖiː/ | Gurmukhi |
| گَڈّی | gaḍḍī | Shahmukhi |
The word ਗੱਡੀ is used broadly to refer to any vehicle, including cars, trains or even carts, depending on context.
Which one should you use?
While ਗੱਡੀ is the common everyday term for a car, the loanword ਕਾਰ (kār) is often used in more formal or specific contexts to distinguish an automobile from other vehicles like trains. Additionally, the term ਗਾੜੀ is used to refer to a car in formal Punjabi.
How do you pronounce it?
gaḍḍī
Did you know?
- The word ਗੱਡੀ is also used in a non-vehicular sense to describe a 'stall' or 'seat' of business for a traditional merchant.
- In rural settings, ਗੱਡੀ is frequently used to describe a tractor, which is the most essential vehicle for farming in the Punjab region.
- The term ਗੱਡੀ traces its lineage back to the ancient Sauraseni Prakrit word gaḍḍī, showing how linguistic roots can survive for thousands of years through different scripts.
Examples in context
- ਮੈਂ ਕੱਲ ਨਵੀਂ ਗੱਡੀ ਖਰੀਦਣ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ।I am going to buy a new car tomorrow.
- ਉਸਦੇ ਪਿਤਾਜੀ ਨੇ ਕਾਰ ਖੜੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ।His father has parked the car.
- ਗੱਡੀ ਚੱਲਦੀ ਹੈThe car is running
- ਵੱਧ ਮਹੰਗੀ ਕਾਰAn expensive car
- ਮੇਰੀ ਗੱਡੀ ਨੀਲੀ ਹੈ।Merī gaḍḍī nīlī hai
- ਮੇਰੀ ਗੱਡੀ ਨਵੀਂ ਹੈ।meri gaḍḍī navī hai.My car is new.
- ਉਹ ਗੱਡੀ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ?oh gaḍḍī kithe hai?Where is that car?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about how to get to a party.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਕੀ ਅਸੀਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਗੱਡੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਚੱਲੀਏ?Kī asī̃ tuhāḍī gaddi vich challīe?Shall we go in your car?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਹਾਂ, ਗੱਡੀ ਬਾਹਰ ਖੜੀ ਹੈ।Hā̃, gaddi bāhar khaṛī hai.Yes, the car is standing outside.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਚੱਲੋ ਫਿਰ।Ṭhīk hai, challo phir.Okay, let's go then.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਚੱਲੋ, ਮੈਂ ਚਾਬੀਆਂ ਲਿਆਉਂਦੀ ਹਾਂ।Challo, maĩ chābīā̃ liāuṇdī hā̃.Come on, I will bring the keys.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “car” translations and entries ਗੱਡੀ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਗੱਡੀ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
