ਬਾਂਦਰ
bāndar/bäːn.d̪əɾᵊ/Gurmukhi, masculine
The word for monkey in Punjabi is ਬਾਂਦਰ (bāndar). Wiktionary also lists بانْدَر (bāndar).
Meaning: primate (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਬਾਂਦਰ | bāndar | /bäːn.d̪əɾᵊ/ | Gurmukhi, masculine |
| بانْدَر | bāndar | Shahmukhi, masculine |
ਬਾਂਦਰ is a masculine noun used to refer to the primate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term is written in two different scripts: ਬਾਂਦਰ is used in the Gurmukhi script, while بانْدَر is used in the Shahmukhi script.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced bāndar (/bäːn.d̪əɾᵊ/).
Did you know?
- If you see a monkey in a religious setting in Punjab, people might treat the animal with more respect than a typical pest due to its association with certain deities.
- Punjabi uses two different writing systems for ਬਾਂਦਰ because the language is split between the Gurmukhi script in India and the Shahmukhi script in Pakistan.
- In Punjabi culture, calling someone a ਬਾਂਦਰ is often a lighthearted way to describe a mischievous or restless child, rather than a literal animal comparison.
Examples in context
- ਉੱਥੇ ਇੱਕ ਬਾਂਦਰ ਬੈਠਾ ਹੈ।utthē ik bāndar baiṭhā hai.A monkey is sitting there.
- ਬਾਂਦਰ ਬਹੁਤ ਤੇਜ਼ ਦੌੜਦਾ ਹੈ।bāndar bahut tēz dauṛdā hai.The monkey runs very fast.
- ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਬਾਂਦਰ ਦੇਖਿਆ।maiṅ ik bāndar dēkhiā.I saw a monkey.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking in a park.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਦੇਖ ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਉੱਥੇ ਇੱਕ ਬਾਂਦਰ ਹੈ!dēkh manprīt, utthē ik bāndar hai!Look Manpreet, there is a monkey there!
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਜ਼ਾਕੀਆ ਲੱਗ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।hāṅ, uha bahut mazākīā lag rihā hai.Yes, he looks very funny.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕੀ ਉਹ ਬਾਂਦਰ ਫਲ ਖਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ?kī uha bāndar phal khā rihā hai?Is that monkey eating fruit?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਜ਼ੇ ਨਾਲ ਖਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।hāṅ, uha bahut mazē nāl khā rihā hai.Yes, he is eating with great enjoyment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monkey” translations and entries ਬਾਂਦਰ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
