ਬੁੱਢਾ ਆਦਮੀ
buḍhā ādmī/bʊɖ˥.ɖäː äːd̪.miː/word by word
The English phrase "old man" is translated into Punjabi as ਬੁੱਢਾ ਆਦਮੀ (buḍhā ādmī).
ਬੁੱਢਾ ਆਦਮੀ is used to refer to an elderly man. In casual conversation, speakers often drop the noun ਆਦਮੀ and simply use ਬੁੱਢਾ to refer to an old man.
Meaning: elderly man (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ਬੁੱਢਾ (buḍhā), meaning "old" and ਆਦਮੀ (ādmī), meaning "man".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While ਬੁੱਢਾ ਆਦਮੀ is a standard way to say "old man", it can sometimes sound blunt or insensitive. For a more respectful and polite way to refer to an elderly person, use ਬਜ਼ੁਰਗ.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the phrase is followed by a postposition, such as "ne", "ko" or "da", the adjective changes to its oblique form. In this case, ਬੁੱਢਾ ਆਦਮੀ becomes ਬੁੱਢੇ ਆਦਮੀ.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is buḍhā ādmī. The word has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- The word ਆਦਮੀ is derived from the name of the first human in the Abrahamic tradition, 'Adam'.
- The term ਬੁੱਢਾ is used in various Punjabi idioms to describe things that are outdated or worn out, not just biological age.
- In many Punjabi dialects, calling someone a ਬੁੱਢਾ directly to their face can be seen as a blunt insult rather than a simple description.
Examples in context
- ਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਬੁੱਢਾ ਆਦਮੀ ਹੈ।oh ik buḍḍā ādmī hai.He is an old man.
- ਬੁੱਢਾ ਆਦਮੀ ਬੈਂਚ 'ਤੇ ਬੈਠਾ ਹੈ।buḍḍā ādmī bench 'te baiṭhā hai.The old man is sitting on the bench.
Example conversation
Kiran and Aman are walking in a park.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਦੇਖੋ, ਉਹ ਬੁੱਢਾ ਆਦਮੀ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ?Dekho, oh buddha aadmi kitthe ja riha hai?Look, where is that old man going?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਸ਼ਾਇਦ ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਘਰ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।Shayad oh apne ghar ja riha hai.Maybe he is going to his home.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਹੌਲੀ ਚੱਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।Oh bahut hauli chall riha hai.He is walking very slowly.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਕਾਫੀ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰ ਲੱਗ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।Haan, oh kaafi kamzor lagg riha hai.Yes, he looks quite weak.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ਬੁੱਢਾ, ਆਦਮੀ) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਆਦਮੀ, ਬੁੱਢਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
