ਝੂਠ
jhūṭh
The English word 'lie' (meaning to tell an intentional untruth) is translated into Punjabi as ਝੂਠ (jhūṭh).
Meaning: tell an intentional untruth (verb)
Which one should you use?
The adjective form ਝੂਠਾ is used to describe a person as a 'liar' or an object as 'false'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the verb phrase 'to tell a lie', the noun ਝੂਠ is typically used with the verb ਬੋਲਣਾ (to speak/say) to form the expression ਝੂਠ ਬੋਲਣਾ.
How do you pronounce it?
jhūṭh
Did you know?
- While ਝੂਠਾ means 'liar' when describing a person, it is also the standard word used to describe food that has been contaminated by someone's touch or mouth.
- The concept of 'truth' ਸੱਚ and 'lie' ਝੂਠ are often paired in Punjabi poetry and Sufi music to represent the duality of the material world and the divine.
- The word ਝੂਠ can be used metaphorically in Punjabi to describe a 'hollow' or 'insincere' promise, implying the promise has no substance.
Examples in context
- ਉਹ ਝੂਠ ਬੋਲਿਆ।He/she told a lie.
- ਉਹ ਝੂਠ ਬੋਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ।He/she was telling a lie.
- ਉਹ ਝੂਠ ਬੋਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।oh jhooth bol riha hai.He is telling a lie.
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਝੂਠ ਨਾ ਬੋਲੋ।mainu jhooth na bolo.Do not tell me a lie.
- ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਝੂਠ ਬੋਲ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ?ki tusi jhooth bol rahe ho?Are you telling a lie?
Example conversation
Aman and Preet are talking about a broken vase.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਗਲਾਸ ਤੋੜਿਆ?kī tusīñ galās tōṛiā?Did you break the glass?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਨਹੀਂ, ਮੈਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਤੋੜਿਆ।nahīñ, maiñ nahīñ tōṛiā.No, I didn't break it.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਤਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਝੂਠ ਬੋਲ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ।mainū patā hai ki tusīñ jūṭh bōl rahē hō.I know that you are telling a lie.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਸੱਚ ਬੋਲਦੀ ਹਾਂ।ṭhīk hai, maiñ sac bōldī hāñ.Okay, I will tell the truth.
