ਮੂਰਖ
mūrakh/muːɾ.(ə)kʰə̆/Gurmukhi, masculine
The English word "idiot" is translated into Punjabi as ਮੂਰਖ (mūrakh) or ਬੇਵਕੂਫ਼.
Meaning: person of low general intelligence (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਮੂਰਖ | mūrakh | /muːɾ.(ə)kʰə̆/ | Gurmukhi, masculine |
| ਬੇਵਕੂਫ਼ | bevkūf | Gurmukhi, masculine |
Both terms are used to describe a person of low general intelligence.
Which one should you use?
While both words mean idiot, ਬੇਵਕੂਫ਼ is a loanword from Persian and is often perceived as more standard or formal in certain contexts compared to the more native-sounding ਮੂਰਖ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the abstract concept of 'foolishness' or 'idiocy', you can use the noun ਮੂਰਖਤਾ, which is derived from the adjective ਮੂਰਖ.
How do you pronounce it?
The two-syllable word ਮੂਰਖ is pronounced as mū-rakh (/muːɾ.(ə)kʰə̆/).
Did you know?
- The word ਬੇਵਕੂਫ਼ is built from an Arabic root meaning 'to stand still'. Literally, calling someone a ਬੇਵਕੂਫ਼ is like saying they are 'without standing' or 'without stability' in their knowledge.
- Depending on the relationship, calling someone a ਮੂਰਖ can shift from being a harsh insult to a term of playful endearment between close friends or family.
- In South Asian literary parables, a ਮੂਰਖ is often a character who lacks spiritual wisdom rather than someone with a low IQ.
Examples in context
- ਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਬਹੁਤ ਵੱਡਾ ਮੂਰਖ ਹੈ।oh ik bahut vaḍḍā mūrakha hai.He is a very big idiot.
Example conversation
Gurpreet and Preet are discussing a coworker's mistake.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਕੀ ਉਸਨੇ ਸੱਚਮੁੱਚ ਇਹ ਗਲਤੀ ਕੀਤੀ?kī usa-ne sac-much iha galatī kītī?Did he really make this mistake?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਮੂਰਖ ਹੈ।hāṃ, oh bahut mūrakha hai.Yes, he is a big idiot.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਉਸਨੂੰ ਆਪਣਾ ਕੰਮ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਾਲ ਕਰਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।usanū apṇā kamm ḍhiān nāl karanā cāhīdā hai.He should do his work carefully.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਸਹੀ ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ।sahī kahi rahē hō.You are right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “idiot” translations and entries ਮੂਰਖ, ਬੇਵਕੂਫ਼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਬੇਵਕੂਫ਼, ਮੂਰਖ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
