ਗਾਂ
gā̃
The English word 'cow' is translated into Punjabi as ਗਾਂ (gā̃).
ਗਾਂ refers to the adult female of the species Bos taurus. In rural contexts, the informal phrase Pind di gai can be used to refer to a 'village's cow'.
Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
gā̃
Did you know?
- In Punjabi culture, the cow is often referred to as ਗਊ ਮਾਤਾ meaning 'cow mother', reflecting a deep spiritual and nurturing status.
- The word ਗਾਂ comes from the Sanskrit word गो, which can refer to any bovine animal and also means 'light' or 'earth' in specific poetic contexts.
- The word for 'cow' is often used in Punjabi idioms to describe someone who is extremely gentle or perhaps overly naive.
Examples in context
- ਗਾਂ ਚਿੱਟੀ ਹੈ।gāṅ chittī hai.The cow is white.
- ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਇੱਕ ਗਾਂ ਹੈ।merē kōl ik gāṅ hai.I have a cow.
- ਗਾਂ ਘਾਹ ਖਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।gāṅ ghāh khā rahī hai.The cow is eating grass.
Example conversation
Two people are talking about animals on a farm.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਕੀ ਇਹ ਗਾਂ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਹੈ?Gurpreet, kī ih gā̃ tuhāḍī hai?Gurpreet, is this cow yours?
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਗਾਂ ਹੈ।Hā̃, ih merī gā̃ hai.Yes, this is my cow.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਹੈ।Ih bahut piārī hai.It is very lovely.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ।Dhanvād, Manpreet.Thank you, Manpreet.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਗਾਂ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
