ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ
śaitān/ʃɛ.taː.n/
The English word "devil" is translated into Punjabi as ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ (śaitān).
The word refers to an evil creature.
Meaning: evil creature (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the word ਅਸੂਰ may be used to signify the devil or demonic entities.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʃɛ.taː.n/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Punjabi culture, people may avoid saying ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ in certain contexts to prevent 'inviting' bad luck or evil spirits into the home.
- The word ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ is a loanword that traveled through Classical Persian from Arabic before entering the Punjabi lexicon.
- In certain Punjabi poetic traditions, calling someone a ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ can occasionally be used in a playful or mischievous way to describe a naughty child, similar to 'little devil' in English.
Examples in context
- ਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ ਹੈ।oh ik shaitaan hai.He is a devil.
- ਬੱਚੇ ਨੂੰ ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਾਓ ਨਾ।bacche nu shaitaan ton darao na.Don't scare the child with a devil.
- ਕਹਾਣੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ ਸੀ।kahaani vich ik shaitaan si.There was a devil in the story.
Example conversation
Herman and Manpreet are talking about a scary movie.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕੀ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ ਡਰਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ?ki tainu oh shaitaan daraunda hai?Does that devil scare you?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਨਹੀਂ, ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਕੁੜੀ ਹਾਂ।nahin, main bahut bahadur kuri han.No, I am a very brave girl.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਫਿਰ ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ ਬਾਰੇ ਕਿਉਂ ਰੋਂਦੀ ਹੈਂ?phir shaitaan bare kyon rondi hain?Then why are you crying about the devil?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਭਿਆਨਕ ਲੱਗ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ।oh bahut bhianak lagg reha si.He was looking very terrifying.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “devil” translations and entries ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
