ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ
telchatta
The English word cockroach is translated into Punjabi as ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ (telchatta).
ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ is the noun used to refer to the type of insect known as a cockroach.
Meaning: type of insect (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
telchatta
Did you know?
- Because ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ describes someone who 'licks oil', calling a person a ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ is a common way to insult them for being a sycophant. It is much more common to use this word as a personality slur than to use it for the actual insect in casual conversation.
- In rural Punjabi settings, the name ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ reflects a traditional observation of the insect's behavior in kitchens using oil lamps and ghee.
- The Punjabi word ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ literally translates to 'oil-licker' in English.
Examples in context
- ਰਸੋਈ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ ਹੈ।Rasoī vich ik telcattā hai.There is a cockroach in the kitchen.
- ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ ਦੇਖਿਆ।Mai ik telcattā dekhiā.I saw a cockroach.
- ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਤੇਜ਼ ਦੌੜਦਾ ਹੈ।Telcattā bahut tez dauṛdā hai.The cockroach runs very fast.
Example conversation
Simran and Harman are in the kitchen.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਹਰਮਨ, ਦੇਖੋ ਉੱਥੇ ਇੱਕ ਤੇਲਚੱਟਾ ਹੈ!Harman, dekho uthe ik telchatta hai!Harman, look there is a cockroach!
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ? ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿਖ ਰਿਹਾ।kithe hai? mainu nahi dikh riha.Where is it? I can't see it.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਉਹ ਸਿੰਕ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਹੈ।oh sink de kol hai.It is near the sink.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਇਸਨੂੰ ਹਟਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ।thik hai, main isnu hata dinda han.Okay, I will remove it.
