ਬੱਚਾ
baccā/bət̪.t͡ʃäː/Gurmukhi, feminine, masculine
The English word 'child' is translated into Punjabi as ਬੱਚਾ (baccā).
ਬੱਚਾ is used to refer to a son, a daughter or someone's child. In affectionate contexts, speakers may use the term Laddū to address a child, especially within a family or the term puttar to signify endearment when referring to a son or a child.
Meaning: son or daughter, someone's child (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Majhi dialect, the term munda is commonly used to refer to a child and is equivalent to 'boy' or 'lad'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ਬੱਚਾ is ਬੱਚੇ, used when referring to children.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as baccā (/bət̪.tʃäː/). It has two syllables.
When do people say it?
Speakers often use terms of endearment like Laddū or puttar when interacting with children to show affection.
Did you know?
- In some Punjabi families, children are called by names that are intentionally slightly insulting to ward off the 'evil eye'.
- Adults in Punjab may be addressed as ਬੱਚਾ by elders as a way of showing affection or seniority.
- While ਬੱਚਾ is the general term, calling a child Laddū refers them to a popular orange-colored sweet made from chickpea flour.
Examples in context
- ਇਹ ਬੱਚਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਸ਼ਰਾਰਤੀ ਹੈ।ih bachā bahut sharārtī hai.This child is very naughty.
- ਬੱਚਾ ਹੁਣ ਸੌਂ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।bachā hun sau rihā hai.The child is sleeping now.
- ਮੇਰਾ ਬੱਚਾ ਸਕੂਲ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।merā bachā sakūl giā hai.My child has gone to school.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new baby.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਬੱਚਾ ਸੌਂ ਗਿਆ?ki tuhada baccha saun gaya?Has your child fallen asleep?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਹੁਣੇ ਸੌਂ ਗਿਆ।han, oh hune saun gaya.Yes, he just fell asleep.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਬੱਚਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ।baccha bahut shaant laggda hai.The child seems very peaceful.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਿਆਣਾ ਹੈ।han, oh bahut siana hai.Yes, he is very well-behaved.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “child” translations and entries ਬੱਚਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
