ਸਵਾਲ
savāl
The English word 'question' is translated into Punjabi as ਸਵਾਲ (savāl). Wiktionary also lists ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਨ (prśan).
Meaning: sentence, phrase or word (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ਸਵਾਲ | savāl | |
| ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਨ | prśan | masculine |
A question refers to a sentence, phrase or word.
Which one should you use?
ਸਵਾਲ is the most common way to say 'question' in everyday spoken Punjabi, while ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਨ is a more formal or literary term for 'question', often used in academic or official contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both ਸਵਾਲ and ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਨ are masculine nouns. To say 'to ask a question', use the phrase ਸਵਾਲ ਪੁੱਛਣਾ.
How do you pronounce it?
savāl
Did you know?
- In Punjabi culture, asking a direct ਸਵਾਲ to an elder can sometimes be perceived as confrontational depending on the tone and social context.
- The word ਸਵਾਲ is a linguistic traveler that originated in Arabic, moved through Persian, and finally arrived in Punjabi.
- The word ਸਵਾਲ is used in Punjabi idioms to describe a 'problem' or a 'challenge' that needs solving, rather than just a query for information.
Examples in context
- ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਨ ਕੀ ਹੈ?What is the question?
- ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੁਝ ਪੁੱਛ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ?Are you asking something?
- ਇਹ ਇੱਕ ਬਹੁਤ ਔਖਾ ਸਵਾਲ ਹੈ।ih ek bahut aokhā savāl hai.This is a very difficult question.
- ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਇੱਕ ਸਵਾਲ ਹੈ।merē kōl ek savāl hai.I have a question.
- ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਸਵਾਲ ਕੀ ਹੈ?tuhāḍā savāl kī hai?What is your question?
Example conversation
Gurpreet and Preet are studying together in a library.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਕੀ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਸਵਾਲ ਸਮਝ ਆਇਆ?Preet, ki tainu eh savaal samajh aaya?Preet, did you understand this question?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਨਹੀਂ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕੁਝ ਸਮਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਇਆ।Nahi Gurpreet, mainu kujh samajh nahi aaya.No Gurpreet, I didn't understand anything.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਚਲੋ, ਅਸੀਂ ਇਸ ਸਵਾਲ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਹੱਲ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ।Chalo, asin is savaal nu mil ke hal karde haan.Come on, let's solve this question together.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਵਧੀਆ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਹੈ।Haan, eh vadhia vichaar hai.Yes, that is a great idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “question” translations and entries ਸਵਾਲ, ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਨ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਨ, ਸਵਾਲ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
