ਝੀਲ
jhīl/t͡ʃiːl˩/feminine
The Punjabi word for lake is ਝੀਲ (jhīl).
Meaning: body of water (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ਝੀਲ is the standard term, ਸਰੋਵਰ is also used to mean lake.
How does it change in a sentence?
ਝੀਲ is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced jhīl (/tʃiːl˩/).
Did you know?
- In Punjabi poetry, a ਸਰੋਵਰ is frequently used as a metaphor for a heart full of devotion or a deep soul.
- The word ਝੀਲ shares an ancient root with the Prakrit word jhillī, which specifically meant 'wave'.
- While ਝੀਲ describes a natural body of water, the term ਸਰੋਵਰ is specifically used for the sacred pools found at a Gurdwara.
Examples in context
- ਇਹ ਝੀਲ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਹੈ।ih jheel bahut sundar hai.This lake is very beautiful.
- ਝੀਲ ਦਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਫ਼ ਹੈ।jheel da paani bahut saaf hai.The lake water is very clean.
- ਅਸੀਂ ਕੱਲ੍ਹ ਝੀਲ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਜਾਵਾਂਗੇ।asi kal jheel de kol javange.We will go near the lake tomorrow.
Example conversation
Preet and Ravinder are visiting a scenic spot.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਰਵਿੰਦਰ, ਦੇਖੋ ਉਹ ਝੀਲ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਸਾਫ਼ ਹੈ!Ravinder, dekho oh jheel kinni saaf hai!Ravinder, look how clean that lake is!
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਹਾਂ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਪਾਣੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਨੀਲਾ ਦਿਖ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।Haan Preet, paani bahut neela dikh riha hai.Yes Preet, the water looks very blue.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਕੀ ਅਸੀਂ ਝੀਲ ਦੇ ਕੋਲ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਾਂ?Ki asi jheel de kol ja sakde haan?Can we go near the lake?
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਹਾਂ, ਚੱਲੋ ਉੱਥੇ ਤਸਵੀਰਾਂ ਖਿੱਚਦੇ ਹਾਂ।Haan, challo utthe tasveeran khichde haan.Yes, let's go take pictures there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lake” translations and entries ਝੀਲ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਝੀਲ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
