ਨਿੱਕੀ ਕੁੜੀ
nikkī kuṛī
The English phrase "little girl" is translated into Punjabi as ਨਿੱਕੀ ਕੁੜੀ (nikkī kuṛī).
ਨਿੱਕੀ ਕੁੜੀ is used to refer to a female child.
Meaning: a female child (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
ਨਿੱਕੀ (nikkī) means "little" or "small" in a feminine context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ਨਿੱਕੀ (nikkī) ends in the feminine ī sound to agree with the feminine noun ਕੁੜੀ (kuṛī).
How do you pronounce it?
nikkī kuṛī
Did you know?
- In some regional Punjabi dialects, a 'little girl' might be referred to using words that literally mean 'daughter' even if she is not the speaker's own child. This reflects a cultural view of communal kinship.
- In many Punjabi-speaking households, instead of saying ਨਿੱਕੀ ਕੁੜੀ, elders might use the term ਲਾਡਲੀ (lāḍlī) to refer to a 'little girl' they cherish deeply.
- Punjabi has a specific linguistic habit of using 'diminutives' to show love. While ਨਿੱਕੀ ਕੁੜੀ is literal, adding specific suffixes to the name of a 'little girl' can change the meaning from 'small' to 'beloved'.
Examples in context
- ਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਨਿੱਕੀ ਕੁੜੀ ਹੈ।oh ik nikki kuri hai.She is a little girl.
- ਨਿੱਕੀ ਕੁੜੀ ਖੇਡ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।nikki kuri khed rahi hai.The little girl is playing.
- ਇਹ ਨਿੱਕੀ ਕੁੜੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਿਆਣੀ ਹੈ।ih nikki kuri bahut siani hai.This little girl is very wise.
Example conversation
Two people are looking at a family photo.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਇਹ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ?eh kaun hai?Who is this?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਇਹ ਇੱਕ ਨਿੱਕੀ ਕੁੜੀ ਹੈ।eh ik nikki kuri hai.This is a little girl.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਹੈ।oh bahut pyaari hai.She is very cute.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਭਾਣਜ ਹੈ।han, oh meri bhanaj hai.Yes, she is my niece.
