ਗੁੰਗਾ
gunga
The English word "dumb" is translated into Punjabi as ਗੁੰਗਾ (gunga).
In Punjabi, ਗੁੰਗਾ is used as an adjective to describe someone who is stupid.
Meaning: stupid (adj)
How do you pronounce it?
gunga
Did you know?
- Using ਗੁੰਗਾ to call someone 'dumb' can be perceived as much more offensive in Punjab than 'stupid' is in English, because it targets a person's physical ability to speak.
- A person might use the phrase ਗੁੰਗਾ ਬਾਂਗ਼ਾ (gunga banga) to describe someone who is not just 'dumb' but completely useless or incompetent.
- In certain poetic or older Punjabi texts, the concept of being 'dumb' or silent is often used as a metaphor for being overwhelmed by emotion.
Example conversation
Aman and Preet are discussing a mistake Aman made.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਤੁਸੀਂ ਇਹ ਗਲਤੀ ਕਿਉਂ ਕੀਤੀ?tusīṁ eh galatī kiuṁ kītī?Why did you make this mistake?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ।mainū patā nahīṁ sī.I didn't know.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਤੁਸੀਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਗੁੰਗਾ ਹੋ ਅਮਨ!tusīṁ bahut gungā hō Aman!You are very dumb, Aman!
- ਅਮਨ Amanਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰ ਦਿਓ।mainū māf kar di-ō.Please forgive me.
