ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ
gap-shap
The English word gossip is translated into Punjabi as ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ (gap-shap).
ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ refers to idle talk or gossip. It is often used to describe conversation that is trivial, lighthearted or not strictly based on facts.
Meaning: idle talk (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a reduplicative compound. The first part, gap, means a lie or idle talk, while the second part, shap, is a rhyming particle added to create a rhythmic, colloquial sound.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ is an informal term. Because it carries a slightly dismissive connotation, it implies that the talk being discussed is trivial.
How do you pronounce it?
gap-shap
Did you know?
- While ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ is trivial, Punjabi has a distinct, harsher word for malicious gossip, ਚੁਗਲਖੋਰੀ, which refers to 'carrying tales' to create conflict.
- Because the term implies the content is unreliable, using ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ can be a polite way to suggest someone is exaggerating without calling them a liar directly.
- In Punjabi culture, engaging in ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ is often associated with specific social settings, such as sitting together after a meal or during leisure hours in a village courtyard.
Examples in context
- ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਨੀ ਚਾਹੀਦੀ।sanū sirafa gappa-shappa nahīṃ karanī cāhīdī.We should not just engage in idle talk.
- ਉਹ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ।oha dōvē bahuta gappa-shappa kara rahē hana.Those two are having a lot of idle talk.
Example conversation
Two friends meeting for coffee.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਬਹੁਤ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਮਿਲੇ ਹਾਂ, ਕੁਝ ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ ਸੁਣਾਓ।Preet, bahut dina baad mile han, kujh gapp-shapp sunao.Preet, we are meeting after a long time, tell me some gossip.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਰਵਿੰਦਰ, ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਅੱਜ ਕੋਈ ਨਵੀਂ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।Ravinder, mere kol ajj koi navi gall nahi hai.Ravinder, I don't have any new news today.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਕੀ ਹੋਇਆ? ਤੁਸੀਂ ਤਾਂ ਗੱਪ-ਸ਼ੱਪ ਦੀ ਸ਼ੌਕੀਨ ਹੋ!ki hoya? tusi tan gapp-shapp di shokeen ho!What happened? You are fond of gossip!
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਾਂ, ਪਰ ਅੱਜ ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਕੰਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੀ।han, par ajj main bahut kamm vich si.Yes, but I was very busy with work today.
