ਪਾਗਲ
pāgal
The English word 'mad' in Punjabi is ਪਾਗਲ (pāgal).
In Punjabi, the word ਪਾਗਲ is used to describe someone who is crazy or insane.
Meaning: angry (adj)
Which one should you use?
In Punjabi you should use the phrase ਗੁੱਸੇ ਵਿੱਚ to describe being in a state of anger. To express the concept of anger itself, you can use the noun ਗੁੱਸਾ.
How do you pronounce it?
pāgal
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use ਪਾਗਲ to mean 'angry' because of the English word 'mad'. In Punjabi, ਪਾਗਲ actually means 'crazy' or 'insane'.
Did you know?
- While ਪਾਗਲ means 'crazy', it is frequently used as a term of endearment between close friends or romantic partners to describe a 'crazy' or passionate love.
- The word ਪਾਗਲ traces back to the ancient Prakrit word *ਪੱਗਲ (*paggal), which is the linguistic ancestor of many modern North Indian terms for madness.
- In many Punjabi dialects, the word ਪਾਗਲ can be used playfully between close friends, much like calling someone 'crazy' in English, but it remains much more potent than its English counterpart.
Example conversation
Aman and Preet are arguing about a lost key.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਤੁਸੀਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਉੱਤੇ ਕਿਉਂ ਪਾਗਲ ਹੋ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ?tusi mere utte kyon pagal ho rahe ho?Why are you getting mad at me?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਚਾਬੀ ਗੁੰਮ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੀ!kyonki tusi chabi gum kar ditti!Because you lost the key!
- ਅਮਨ Amanਮੈਂ ਮਾਫੀ ਮੰਗਦਾ ਹਾਂ, ਪ੍ਰੀਤ।main maafi mangda han, Preet.I apologize, Preet.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਹੁਣ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਹੋ ਜਾਓ।thik hai, hun shant ho jao.Alright, now calm down.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਪਾਗਲ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
