ਜਿਰਾਫ਼
jirāf
The Punjabi word for giraffe is ਜਿਰਾਫ਼ (jirāf).
ਜਿਰਾਫ਼ is used to refer to the tall mammal known as a giraffe.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
jirāf
Did you know?
- The term ਜਿਰਾਫ਼ arrived in the Punjabi language via a chain of influence moving from Arabic through Persian before reaching South Asia.
- In Punjabi, the word ਜਿਰਾਫ਼ uses a modified character to create the 'f' sound, as the original Gurmukhi alphabet did not have a dedicated letter for this specific consonant.
- Because giraffes are not native to South Asia, ਜਿਰਾਫ਼ is almost entirely absent from traditional Punjabi folklore and ancient poetry.
Examples in context
- ਜਿਰਾਫ਼ ਬਹੁਤ ਲੰਬਾ ਜਾਨਵਰ ਹੈ।jirāf bahut lambā jānvar hai.A giraffe is a very tall animal.
- ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਜਿਰਾਫ਼ ਪਸੰਦ ਹੈ?kī tuhānu jirāf pasand hai?Do you like giraffes?
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a book about animals.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਦੇਖੋ, ਇਹ ਜਿਰਾਫ਼ ਹੈ!dekho, ih jirāf hai!Look, this is a giraffe!
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਹੈ।hā̃, ih bahut sundar hai.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਕੀ ਇਹ ਜਿਰਾਫ਼ ਲੰਬਾ ਹੈ?kī ih jirāf lambā hai?Is this giraffe tall?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਲੰਬਾ ਹੈ।hā̃, ih bahut lambā hai.Yes, it is very tall.
