ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼
śābāś/ʃäː.bäːʃᵊ/
The Punjabi phrase for "good job" is ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼ (śābāś).
ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼ is used to express praise for someone's efforts or to say "well done".
Meaning: a phrase used to praise for a good job or efforts (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is śābāś. It has two syllables.
When do people say it?
In Punjabi culture, shouting ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼ is a common way to show enthusiastic encouragement during sports or performances.
Did you know?
- The phrase ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼ is actually a command to 'be happy', originating from Persian roots where 'šād' means 'happy' and 'bāš' means 'be'.
- Unlike English where 'good job' is common in professional settings, ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼ often carries a hierarchical tone, typically spoken by a senior to a junior.
- Depending on the tone, ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼ can be used sarcastically to mean 'great job' when someone has actually made a mistake.
Examples in context
- ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼, ਤੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ ਕੀਤਾ।shā bāś, tū bahut vadhī'ā kītā.Good job, you did very well.
- ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼, ਤੇਰੀ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਰੰਗ ਲਿਆਈ।shā bāś, tērī mihanat raṅg lai'ī.Good job, your hard work paid off.
- ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ, ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼!bahut vadhī'ā, shā bāś!Very good, good job!
Example conversation
Harman is praising Simran for finishing her homework.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਸਿਮਰਨ, ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਹੋਮਵਰਕ ਕਰ ਲਿਆ?Simran, ki tusin homework kar liya?Simran, have you done your homework?
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਸਭ ਕੁਝ ਪੂਰਾ ਕਰ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ।Han, main sab kujh poora kar liya hai.Yes, I have completed everything.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼! ਹੁਣ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਖੇਡ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ।Shabaash! Hun tusin khed sakde ho.Good job! Now you can play.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਹਰਮਨ ਭਾਜੀ!Dhannvaad, Harman bhaji!Thank you, brother Harman!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼, CC BY-SA 4.0.
