ਧੀ
dhī/t̪iː˩/
The word for daughter in Punjabi is ਧੀ (dhī). Wiktionary also lists ਪੁਤਰੀ (putrī).
Meaning: female offspring (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ਧੀ | dhī | /t̪iː˩/ |
| ਪੁਤਰੀ | putrī |
The term refers to a female offspring.
Which one should you use?
ਧੀ is the standard, everyday word used in most contexts, whereas ਪੁਤਰੀ is a more formal or literary term used in poetry, religious texts or formal addresses.
How do you pronounce it?
dhī is pronounced /t̪iː˩/.
Did you know?
- The Sanskrit root of the word ਧੀ actually refers to the act of 'milking', which was historically linked to the role of a daughter in a household.
- While ਧੀ is the common term, Punjabi speakers may use the term ਲਾਡੀ (lādī) as an affectionate pet name for a daughter, meaning 'one who is pampered'.
- In Punjabi weddings, the 'departure' of the ਧੀ from her parents' home is a deeply emotional ritual called 'doli', often depicted in songs as a moment of profound grief.
Examples in context
- ਉਸ ਦੀ ਇੱਕ ਧੀ ਹੈ।us dī ik dhī hai.She has one daughter.
- ਮੇਰੀ ਧੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੁਸ਼ਿਆਰ ਹੈ।merī dhī bahut huśiār hai.My daughter is very smart.
Example conversation
Two neighbors are chatting about their children in a park.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਕੋਈ ਧੀ ਹੈ?kī tuhāḍī kōī dhī hai?Do you have a daughter?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੀ ਇੱਕ ਧੀ ਹੈ।hā̃, merī ik dhī hai.Yes, I have one daughter.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਉਸ ਦਾ ਨਾਂ ਕੀ ਹੈ?us dā nā̃ kī hai?What is her name?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਉਸ ਦਾ ਨਾਂ ਅਮਨ ਹੈ।us dā nā̃ aman hai.Her name is Aman.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “daughter” translations and entries ਧੀ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਧੀ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
