ਚਾਕੂ
cākū/t͡ʃäː.kuː/
The Punjabi word for knife is ਚਾਕੂ (cākū).
ਚਾਕੂ is used to refer to a utensil or a tool designed for cutting.
Meaning: utensil or tool designed for cutting (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, pronounced /tʃäː.kuː/ (cākū).
Did you know?
- In Punjabi grammar, when describing a knife that is blunt, one does not say it is 'not sharp' but rather uses the word ਮੋਟਾ (moṭā), which more commonly means 'fat' or 'thick'.
- In Punjabi culture, the ਕਿਰਪਾਨ (kirpān) is a ceremonial knife or sword carried by initiated Sikhs as a symbol of courage and the duty to protect the weak.
- The term ਚਾਕੂ (cākū) is used identically across Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu. This linguistic overlap is a result of the shared history and cultural mixing of the Punjab region.
Examples in context
- ਮੇਜ਼ ਉੱਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਚਾਕੂ ਹੈ।mēj uṭṭē ik chākū hai.There is a knife on the table.
- ਇਹ ਚਾਕੂ ਬਹੁਤ ਤਿੱਖਾ ਹੈ।ih chākū bahut tikhā hai.This knife is very sharp.
- ਕੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚਾਕੂ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ?kī mēnu chākū chāhidā hai?Do I need a knife?
Example conversation
Harman and Preet are preparing vegetables in the kitchen.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਕੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਚਾਕੂ ਮਿਲ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ?Prīt, kī mainū chākū mil sakdā hai?Preet, can I have the knife?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਰਸੋਈ ਦੀ ਮੇਜ਼ 'ਤੇ ਹੈ।Hā̃, ih rasōī dī mez 'te hai.Yes, it is on the kitchen table.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਬਜ਼ੀ ਕੱਟਣੀ ਹੈ।Dhannvād, mainū sabzī kaṭṇī hai.Thanks, I have to cut the vegetables.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਬਸ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਾਲ ਕੱਟਣਾ।Ṭhīk hai, bas dhiān nāl kaṭṇā.Okay, just cut carefully.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ਚਾਕੂ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
