ਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ
nahi ji, dhanvaad
The English phrase "no thank you" is expressed in Punjabi as ਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (nahi ji, dhanvaad).
ਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ is used as a polite way to say no.
Meaning: polite way of saying no (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ਨਹੀਂ (no), ਜੀ (a respectful honorific particle) and ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (thanks).
Which one should you use?
While ਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ is a polite way to decline, using just ਨਹੀਂ (no) without the honorific or the thanks can sound blunt or even rude depending on the context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ is a polite and respectful form. Other informal ways to express a lack of desire include ਨਹੀਂ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ (Don't want) or ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ (I don't want it).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Malwai (Southern Punjab) region, you may hear ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨੀ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ to mean "I don't want."
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ਜੀ is added after ਨਹੀਂ to soften the refusal and make the statement more polite.
How do you pronounce it?
nahi ji, dhanvaad
Did you know?
- When declining an offer, repeating ਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ several times is often expected. Accepting a food or drink offer immediately on the first invitation can sometimes be perceived as being too eager or lacking modesty.
- The honorific ਜੀ is derived from the Sanskrit word for 'soul' or 'life' ਜੀਵ. Using it when saying 'no' essentially acknowledges the other person's spirit or existence to soften the refusal.
- The term ਧੰਨਵਾਦ is a 'semi-learned' word, meaning it was intentionally constructed from Sanskrit roots rather than evolving from common speech.
Examples in context
- ਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ।nahī̃ jī, dhanvād.No thank you.
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਹੋਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ, ਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ।mainū hor nahī̃ cāhidā, nahī̃ jī, dhanvād.I don't want more, no thank you.
Example conversation
Aman offers Kiran some sweets during a visit.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਕਿਰਨ, ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮਿਠਾਈ ਖਾਓਗੇ?Kiran, kī tusīñ miṭhāī khāōgē?Kiran, would you like some sweets?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਨਹੀਂ ਜੀ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਮੈਂ ਹੁਣੇ ਖਾਧਾ ਹੈ।Nahīñ jī, dhanvād, main hunē khādhā hai.No thank you, I just ate.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ।Ṭhīk hai, kōī gall nahīñ.Okay, no problem.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਪੁੱਛਣ ਲਈ ਸ਼ੁਕਰੀਆ, ਅਮਨ।Puchhaṇ laī śukrīā, Aman.Thank you for asking, Aman.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਜੀ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਨਹੀਂ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
