ਨਹੀਂ
nahī̃/nə˦ĩː/
The Punjabi word for no is ਨਹੀਂ (nahī̃). Wiktionary also lists نہیں (nheṉ).
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ਨਹੀਂ | nahī̃ | /nə˦ĩː/ /nə˦.ɦĩː/ |
| نہیں | nheṉ | /nə˩˥ĩː/ /ˈnə.ɦĩː/ |
ਨਹੀਂ is used to show disagreement or negation. It often functions as a particle to negate verbs or statements, behaving similarly to the English word 'not' rather than acting solely as a standalone response to a question.
Which one should you use?
The forms provided are ਨਹੀਂ and نہیں.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Majhi dialect, ਨਹੀਂ is used for "no" in both formal and informal settings.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Punjabi, the negation particle ਨਹੀਂ typically follows the verb or the noun it is negating in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
nahī̃ (/nə˦ĩː/)
Did you know?
- In many Punjabi households, saying ਨਹੀਂ directly to an elder can be perceived as too blunt. Instead, speakers may use a softer phrasing or a hesitant tone to signal disagreement without sounding confrontational.
- The written form of ਨਹੀਂ changes significantly between the Gurmukhi script used in India and the Shahmukhi script used in Pakistan, despite being the same word.
- The Punjabi word ਨਹੀਂ is a direct descendant of the Sanskrit word नहि, which was used in ancient texts to express negation.
Examples in context
- ਮੇਰਾ ੳੁਸ ਨਾਲ ਹੁਣ ਕੋੲੀ ਰਾਬਤਾ ਨਹੀਂ ।I have no contact with her.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ਨਹੀਂ to negate a statement.Tatoeba #3880080 by RadiumCat, translation #13224729 by randeepxsingh
- ਨਹੀਂ, ਮੈਂ ਹੁਣ ਮਦਦ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰ ਸਕਦਾNo, I cannot help at the moment.
- ਨਾ, ਠੀਕ ਹਾਂNo, I'm fine.
- ਮੈਂ ਅੱਜ ਬਾਹਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਵਾਂਗਾ।main ajj bāhar nahī̃ jāvāṅgā.I will not go out today.
- ਉਸ ਕੋਲ ਕੋਈ ਪੈਸਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।us kol koī paisā nahī̃ hai.He does not have any money.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries ਨਹੀਂ, نہیں, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਨਹੀਂ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
