ਬਿੱਲੀ
billī/bɪ.lːiː/Gurmukhi, feminine
The English word "cat" is translated into Punjabi as ਬਿੱਲੀ (billī). Wiktionary also lists بِلِّی (billiī) and بلی (pnb).
Meaning: domestic species (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਬਿੱਲੀ | billī | /bɪ.lːiː/ | Gurmukhi, feminine |
| بِلِّی | billiī | Shahmukhi, feminine | |
| بلی | pnb | Western Punjabi, feminine |
The term refers to the domestic species of cat.
Which one should you use?
The three forms provided represent different writing systems or regional variations of the word. ਬਿੱਲੀ is written in the Gurmukhi script, while بِلِّی is written in the Shahmukhi script. The form بلی is a Western Punjabi variation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
ਬਿੱਲੀ (billī) uses the Gurmukhi script, while بِلِّی (billiī) uses the Shahmukhi script. The form بلی (pnb) is used in Western Punjabi.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for cat is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /bɪ.lːiː/. In romanization, it is pronounced as billī.
Did you know?
- In some rural Punjabi dialects, the term ਬਿੱਲੀ can be used as an adjective to describe someone with light-colored or striking eyes.
- The word ਬਿੱਲੀ is derived from the Sanskrit word बिदालिका, which is a diminutive form of बिडाल.
- While English uses 'cat' for all types, a Punjabi speaker might use the word ਮਾਣੋ (māṇō) colloquially to describe a very cute or cuddly kitten.
Examples in context
- ਬਿੱਲੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਹੈ।billī bahut sundar hai.The cat is very beautiful.
- ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਇੱਕ ਚਿੱਟੀ ਬਿੱਲੀ ਹੈ।merē kōl ikk ciṭī billī hai.I have a white cat.
- ਬਿੱਲੀ ਦੁੱਧ ਪੀ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।billī dudh pī rahī hai.The cat is drinking milk.
Example conversation
Two people are talking about a pet in the living room.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਰਵਿੰਦਰ, ਦੇਖੋ ਮੇਰੀ ਨਵੀਂ ਬਿੱਲੀ!Ravinder, dekho meri navi billi!Ravinder, look at my new cat!
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੋਹਣੀ ਹੈ।Eh bahut sohni hai.It is very beautiful.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਇਸ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਮਾਨੋ ਹੈ।Is da naam Mano hai.Its name is Mano.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਿੱਲੀਆਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਸੰਦ ਹਨ।Mainu billiyan bahut pasand han.I like cats very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries ਬਿੱਲੀ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਬਿੱਲੀ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
