ਕਲਮ
kalam/kə.ləm/feminine
The word for "pen" in Punjabi is ਕਲਮ (kalam). Wiktionary also lists ਕ਼ਲਮ (qalam) and قلم (qalam).
Meaning: writing tool (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਕਲਮ | kalam | /kə.ləm/ /kɐl.əm/ |
feminine |
| ਕ਼ਲਮ | qalam | feminine | |
| قلم | qalam | /kə.ləmə̆/ | Shahmukhi, feminine |
The word refers to a writing tool.
Which one should you use?
The Gurmukhi spelling ਕਲਮ is the standard form used in East Punjab, while the Shahmukhi spelling قلم is used in West Punjab.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The spelling ਕਲਮ is the standard Gurmukhi script used in East Punjab (India), whereas the spelling قلم is the standard Shahmukhi script used in West Punjab (Pakistan).
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun ਕਲਮ is feminine in Punjabi. Any accompanying adjectives or verbs describing its state must agree with a feminine gender.
How do you pronounce it?
kalam (/kə.ləm/)
Did you know?
- The word ਕਲਮ is a linguistic traveler that moved from Ancient Greek to Arabic, through Persian, and finally into Punjabi.
- In Punjabi, ਕਲਮ can refer to a writing tool or the act of grafting a plant stem.
- The word ਕਲਮ is also used in Punjabi to refer to a piece of writing or a poetic column in a newspaper.
Examples in context
- ਮੇਰੀ ਕਲਮ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ?meri kalam kithe hai?Where is my pen?
- ਇਹ ਨੀਲੀ ਕਲਮ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ ਹੈ।ih neeli kalam bahut vadhia hai.This blue pen is very good.
- ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਕੋਲ ਇੱਕ ਕਲਮ ਹੈ?ki tuhade kol ik kalam hai?Do you have a pen?
Example conversation
Manpreet is looking for a way to write a note in the office.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਰਵਿੰਦਰ, ਕੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਕਲਮ ਮਿਲ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ?ravinder, ki mainu ik kalam mil sakdi hai?Ravinder, can I have a pen?
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਇੱਕ ਵਾਧੂ ਕਲਮ ਹੈ।han, mere kol ik vadhū kalam hai.Yes, I have an extra pen.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਇਹ ਕਲਮ ਚੰਗੀ ਚੱਲਦੀ ਹੈ।dhannvad, ih kalam changi chaldi hai.Thanks, this pen works well.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ, ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ।koi gall nahi, manpreet.No problem, Manpreet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pen” translations and entries ਕਲਮ, قلم, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries قلم, ਕਲਮ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
