ਤੇਲ
telmasculine
The English word "oil" is ਤੇਲ (tel) in Punjabi.
ਤੇਲ refers to liquid fat. You can use it in various phrases to specify the type of oil, such as nariyal da tel for coconut oil, sarson da tel for mustard oil or zaitoon da tel for olive oil.
Meaning: liquid fat (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is tel.
Did you know?
- In traditional Punjabi weddings, a ritual called ਤੇਲ ਬਾਠ involves applying oil to the bride and groom's skin to give them a healthy glow before the ceremony.
- The Sanskrit root of ਤੇਲ is also the basis for the word 'taila', which is used in Ayurveda to describe specific types of medicated oils used in ancient Indian medicine.
- In Punjabi culture, ਸਰਸੋਂ ਦਾ ਤੇਲ or 'mustard oil' is not just for cooking but is traditionally used in deep tissue massages for infants to strengthen their bones.
Examples in context
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਖਾਣਾ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਤੇਲ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।mainū khāṇā baṇā'una la'ī tēla cāhīdā hai.I need oil to cook food.
Example conversation
Manpreet and Harman are preparing a meal together.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਹਰਮਨ, ਕੀ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਹੋਰ ਤੇਲ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ?Harman, kī sānū hōr tēl chāhīdā hai?Harman, do we need more oil?
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਹਾਂ, ਤੇਲ ਖਤਮ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।Hā̃, tēl khatam hō giā hai.Yes, the oil has run out.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਮੈਂ ਬਾਜ਼ਾਰੋਂ ਤੇਲ ਲੈ ਆਵਾਂਗੀ।Main bāzārō̃ tēl lai āvāngī.I will bring oil from the market.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ।Thīk hai, Manpreet, dhanvād.Okay, Manpreet, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oil” translations and entries ਤੇਲ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
