ਇੱਕ
ikka/ɪkːə̆/Gurmukhi
The English word one is translated into Punjabi as ਇੱਕ (ikka). Wiktionary also lists ੧.
Meaning: cardinal number 1 (num)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਇੱਕ | ikka | /ɪkːə̆/ | Gurmukhi |
| ੧ | /ɪk.kə/ | Gurmukhi, numeral |
ਇੱਕ is the cardinal number 1.
Which one should you use?
ਇੱਕ is the written word, while ੧ is the numeral.
How do you pronounce it?
ikka
Did you know?
- In Punjabi culture, the concept of 'one' is central to the 'Ik Onkar' symbol, which represents the one supreme reality in Sikhism.
- The Punjabi word ਇੱਕ shares a distant prehistoric ancestor with the English word 'one', both originating from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁óynos.
- While ਇੱਕ means 'one', it is also used as an indefinite article similar to 'a' or 'an' in English when referring to a non-specific person or thing.
Examples in context
- ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਇੱਕ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਹੈ।mere kol ik kitāb hai.I have one book.
- ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਇੱਕ ਮਿੰਟ ਰੁਕੋ।siraf ik minat ruko.Wait for just one minute.
- ਉਸ ਕੋਲ ਇੱਕ ਕੁੱਤਾ ਹੈ।us kol ik kuttā hai.He has one dog.
Example conversation
Aman and Preet are at a fruit stall.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਕੇਲੇ ਲਵੋਗੇ?Prīta, tusīṃ kinnē kēlē lavōgē?Preet, how many bananas will you take?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਮੈਂ ਸਿਰਫ ਇੱਕ ਕੇਲਾ ਲਵਾਂਗੀ।Main sirafa ik kēlā lavāngī.I will take only one banana.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਵੀ ਇੱਕ ਲਵਾਂਗਾ।Ṭhīka hai, main vī ik lavāngā.Okay, I will also take one.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਚਲੋ ਹੁਣ ਘਰ ਚੱਲੀਏ।Calō huṇa ghara challīē.Let's go home now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries ਇੱਕ, ੧, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਇੱਕ, ੧, CC BY-SA 4.0.
