ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ ਜਾ
dafā ho jā/d̪ə.faː ɦoː d͡ʒaː/Gurmukhi
The Punjabi phrase for "get lost" is ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ ਜਾ (dafā ho jā). Wiktionary also lists ਪਰਾਂ ਮਰ (parā̃ mar) and ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ (dafā ho).
Meaning: go away! (intj)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ ਜਾ | dafā ho jā | /d̪ə.faː ɦoː d͡ʒaː/ | Gurmukhi |
| ਪਰਾਂ ਮਰ | parā̃ mar | /pə.ɾɑ̃ː‿məɾᵊ/ | Gurmukhi |
| ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ | dafā ho | /d̪ə.faː ɦoː/ | Gurmukhi |
| ਜਾ ਮਰ | jā mar | Gurmukhi |
ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ ਜਾ is used when you are angry and want someone to leave your presence immediately.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ ਜਾ means "be gone" or "be banished".
Which one should you use?
While ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ ਜਾ is a standard way to say "get lost", the phrase ਜਾ ਮਰ is much more aggressive, literally meaning "go die".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a much more vulgar and slang option, you can use ਪਰਾਂ ਮਰ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "get lost" to more than one person or to someone you are addressing formally, use the form ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ ਜਾਓ.
How do you pronounce it?
dafā ho jā
Did you know?
- The word ਦਫ਼ਾ is borrowed from the Persian word 'daf'', which originally referred to the act of pushing something away or repelling an attack.
- The aggressive nature of ਜਾ ਮਰ is so strong that using it toward an elder is considered a massive cultural taboo, regardless of how angry the speaker is.
- The phrase ਜਾ ਮਰ can sometimes be used colloquially among very close friends as a form of sarcastic banter, though it remains risky.
Examples in context
- ਹੁਣ ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ ਜਾ।hun dāfā hō jā.Now get lost.
Example conversation
Aman is angry because Preet keeps bothering him while he works.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇਕੱਲਾ ਛੱਡ ਦੇ।Prīt, mainu ikallā chaḍḍ dē.Preet, leave me alone.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਬੱਸ ਗੱਲ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀ ਸੀ।Maiṃ tāṃ bassa gall karnā cāhundī sī.I just wanted to talk.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ ਜਾ!dafā hō jā!Get lost!
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਚਲ਼ੀ।ṭhīka hai, maiṃ ca lī.Fine, I'm leaving.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “get lost” translations and entries ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ ਜਾ, ਪਰਾਂ ਮਰ, ਦਫ਼ਾ ਹੋ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਦਫ਼ਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
