ਛੇਤੀ
chetī/t͡ʃʰeːt̪.t̪iː/Gurmukhi
The English word 'quickly' is translated into Punjabi as ਛੇਤੀ (chetī). Wiktionary also lists چھیتِی (chetī).
Meaning: rapidly, fast (adv)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਛੇਤੀ | chetī | /t͡ʃʰeːt̪.t̪iː/ | Gurmukhi |
| چھیتِی | chetī | Shahmukhi |
The primary way to express the idea of moving or acting rapidly is by using ਛੇਤੀ. In spoken Punjabi, it is very common to append the particle ਨਾਲ to form the adverbial phrase ਛੇਤੀ ਨਾਲ to mean 'quickly'.
Which one should you use?
While ਛੇਤੀ is common in everyday speech, ਤੇਜ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ is a more formal way to express the concept of 'rapidly' or 'with speed'. For an even more casual tone, you can use Jaldi Jaldi.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle ਨਾਲ to ਛੇਤੀ is a very common way to form the adverbial phrase 'quickly' in spoken Punjabi.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced chetī (/tʃʰeːt̪.t̪iː/). It consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The formal version ਤੇਜ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ uses the word ਤੇਜ਼, which is also the word used to describe a 'sharp' or 'acute' sensation, such as a 'sharp' pain.
- The word ਛੇਤੀ is written in two different scripts depending on the region: Gurmukhi in East Punjab and Shahmukhi in West Punjab.
- The word ਛੇਤੀ has ancient roots that may trace back to Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit forms like cchati, which was used to mean 'immediately'.
Examples in context
- ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਛੇਤੀ ਚੱਲੋ।Kirpā karakē chētī challō.Please walk quickly.
- ਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਛੇਤੀ ਭੱਜਦਾ ਹੈ।Oh bahut chētī bhajjadā hai.He runs very quickly.
- ਕੰਮ ਛੇਤੀ ਖ਼ਤਮ ਕਰੋ।Kam chētī khatam karo.Finish the work quickly.
Example conversation
Prīet is asking Harman to hurry so they are not late.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਰਮਨ, ਛੇਤੀ ਕਰੋ!Harman, chētī karo!Harman, hurry up quickly!
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਛੇਤੀ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ।Mai bahut chētī ā rihā hā̃.I am coming very quickly.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਸਾਨੂੰ ਜਲਦੀ ਪਹੁੰਚਣਾ ਪਵੇਗਾ।Sānū jaladī pahuncṇā pavēgā.We must arrive soon.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਤਿਆਰ ਹਾਂ।Ṭhīk hai, mai taiār hā̃.Okay, I am ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “quickly” translations and entries ਛੇਤੀ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਛੇਤੀ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
