ਨਿੰਬੂ
nimbū[nɪmbuː]
The Punjabi word for lemon is ਨਿੰਬੂ (nimbū).
ਨਿੰਬੂ is a noun used to refer to the citrus fruit lemon.
Meaning: citrus fruit (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
nimbū
Did you know?
- The word ਨਿੰਬੂ is used in a common Punjabi idiom ਨਿੰਬੂ ਮਿਰਚ to describe a charm of lemon and chilies hung on doorways to ward off the evil eye.
- The phonetic structure of ਨਿੰਬੂ is remarkably stable, having barely changed in sound from its original Sanskrit ancestor to modern Punjabi.
- In some rural Punjabi contexts, the term ਨਿੰਬੂ can be used metaphorically to describe someone who is very sour or irritable in temperament.
Examples in context
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਨਿੰਬੂ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।mainū ik nimbū chāhīdā hai.I need a lemon.
- ਨਿੰਬੂ ਬਹੁਤ ਖੱਟਾ ਹੈ।nimbū bahut khaṭṭā hai.The lemon is very sour.
- ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਕੋਲ ਨਿੰਬੂ ਹੈ?kī tuhāḍē kōla nimbū hai?Do you have a lemon?
Example conversation
Herman and Preet are in the kitchen making lemonade.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕੀ ਸਾਡੇ ਕੋਲ ਨਿੰਬੂ ਹੈ?kī sāḍē kōla nimbū hai?Do we have a lemon?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਇੱਕ ਨਿੰਬੂ ਹੈ।hā̃, mērē kōla ik nimbū hai.Yes, I have a lemon.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਇਸ ਨਿੰਬੂ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਟ ਦਿਓ।is nimbū nū kaṭ di'ō.Cut this lemon.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਹਰਮਨ।ṭhīka hai, harman.Okay, Herman.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ਨਿੰਬੂ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
