ਕੱਪੜੇ
kappaṛeGurmukhi, masculine, plural
In Punjabi, 'clothes' is typically said as ਕੱਪੜੇ (kappaṛe). If unsure, use ਕੱਪੜੇ. It is also spelled ਪੋਸ਼ਾਕ (pośāk). Wiktionary also lists ਬਸਤਰ (bastar) and ਪਹਿਰਾਵਾ (pahirāvā).
Meaning: apparel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ਕੱਪੜੇ | kappaṛe | Gurmukhi, masculine, plural |
| ਬਸਤਰ | bastar | Gurmukhi, masculine |
| ਪਹਿਰਾਵਾ | pahirāvā | Gurmukhi, masculine |
| ਪੁਸ਼ਾਕ | puśāk | Gurmukhi, masculine |
| ਪੋਸ਼ਾਕ | pośāk | Gurmukhi, masculine, alternative form |
The words in this set all refer to apparel, but they differ in whether they describe individual items, the concept of a style or a specific outfit.
Which one should you use?
ਕੱਪੜੇ is the most common, everyday word for clothes used in casual conversation. In contrast, ਪਹਿਰਾਵਾ refers more to 'attire' or 'dress' as a concept or a style rather than individual pieces of clothing. ਪੁਸ਼ਾਕ (also spelled ਪੋਸ਼ਾਕ) is a formal term often used to refer to a specific outfit, costume or uniform.
How does it change in a sentence?
While ਕੱਪੜੇ is the plural form used for 'clothes', the singular form ਕੱਪੜਾ refers to 'cloth' or a single piece of fabric. All the provided forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
kappaṛe
Did you know?
- The word ਕੱਪੜਾ is used in the phrase ਕੱਪੜਾ ਫਾੜਨਾ (to tear cloth), which is sometimes used idiomatically to describe an intense or aggressive emotional outburst.
- The word ਪੁਸ਼ਾਕ shares a common ancestor with the Persian word for 'clothing', reflecting the historical linguistic influence of Persian on Punjabi vocabulary.
- In Punjabi culture, the word ਬਸਤਰ can refer to clothes but specifically denotes bedding or linens. Using it for street clothes would be a mistake.
Examples in context
- ਨਵੇਂ ਕੱਪੜੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਹਨ।navē̃ kappṛē bahut sundar han.The new clothes are very beautiful.
- ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੱਪੜੇ ਧੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ।maĩ āpaṇē kappṛē dhō rihā hā̃.I am washing my clothes.
- ਕੱਪੜੇ ਅਲਮਾਰੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਰੱਖ ਦਿਓ।kappṛē almārī vica rakkha di'ō.Put the clothes in the cupboard.
Example conversation
Aman and Simran are getting ready for a party.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਮੈਂ ਕਿਹੜੇ ਕੱਪੜੇ ਪਾਵਾਂ?maiṁ kihaṛē kapṛē pāvāṁ?Which clothes should I wear?
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਨੀਲੇ ਕੱਪੜੇ ਪਾਓ, ਉਹ ਚੰਗੇ ਲੱਗਦੇ ਹਨ।nīlē kapṛē pāō, uh caṅgē lagadē han.Wear the blue clothes, they look good.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਪਰ ਉਹ ਕੱਪੜੇ ਸਾਫ਼ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਨ।par uh kapṛē sāf nahīṁ han.But those clothes are not clean.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਫਿਰ ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ ਕੱਪੜੇ ਲੱਭੋ।phir kōī hōr kapṛē labhō.Then find some other clothes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clothes” translations and entries ਬਸਤਰ, ਪਹਿਰਾਵਾ, ਪੁਸ਼ਾਕ, ਪੋਸ਼ਾਕ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਪੁਸ਼ਾਕ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
