ਮੈਨੂੰ
mainu
The Punjabi word for "me" is ਮੈਨੂੰ (mainu).
ਮੈਨੂੰ is the objective form of the pronoun used to refer to the speaker as the receiver of an action.
Which one should you use?
While ਮੈਂ (main) means "I" (the subject), ਮੈਨੂੰ (mainu) is used for "me" (the object).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Western Punjab, ਮੈਨੂੰ is used instead of ਮੈਂ or ਮੈਂ to mean "me". In the Malwa region of Punjab, people may use Meinu to say "me".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ਮੈਨੂੰ is used when the speaker is the indirect or direct object of a verb.
How do you pronounce it?
mainu
Did you know?
- Because Punjabi is a tonal language, the pitch used when saying ਮੈਨੂੰ can change the nuance of the request or the emotion behind the word 'me'.
- Punjabi uses a system of 'experiencer' subjects. Some feelings or sensations that English attributes to 'I' are expressed using ਮੈਨੂੰ because the speaker is perceived as the receiver of the feeling.
- The particle ਨੂੰ inside ਮੈਨੂੰ is similar to the 'dative' case in other Indo-Aryan languages, marking the person who is affected by an action.
Examples in context
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਹੋਰ ਸੋਮਰਸ ਦਾ ਗਲਾਸ ਲਿਆ ਕੇ ਦੇਣ ਬਾਰੇ ਕੀ ਖਿਆਲ ਹੈ?How about getting me another glass of wine?This sentence shows how to use ਮੈਨੂੰ when requesting something.Tatoeba #13224768 by randeepxsingh, translation #3737858 by CK
- ਤੁਸੀੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਿਹਲਾਂ ਆਣ ਕੇ ਕਯੋੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਪੁਛਿਆ?Why didn't you come to ask me earlier?This sentence demonstrates using ਮੈਨੂੰ as the object of the verb 'ask'.Tatoeba #3786185 by RadiumCat, translation #3786179 by AlanF_US
- ਮੈਂ ਕਦੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਸੀ ਸੋਚੇਆ ਕੇ ਓਹ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਰਵਾਨ ਕਰ ਲੈਣਗੇ।I never thought they would accept me.This sentence illustrates using ਮੈਨੂੰ as the object of the verb 'accept'.Tatoeba #2066065 by RadiumCat, translation #281913 by CC
Example conversation
Simran and Gurpreet are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਭੁੱਖ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੈ।Gurpreet, mainu bahut bhukh laggi hai.Gurpreet, I am very hungry.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਚਲੋ, ਫਿਰ ਕੁਝ ਖਾ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ।Chalo, phir kujh kha lainde haan.Come on, let's eat something then.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੀਜ਼ਾ ਖਿਲਾਓਗੇ?Ki tusi mainu pizza khilaoge?Will you treat me to pizza?
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਹਾਂ, ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਚੱਲੋ!Haan, zaroor challo!Yes, definitely let's go!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
