ਕਹਿਣਾ
kahiṇā/kɛː˥.ɳäː/
To say in Punjabi is ਕਹਿਣਾ (kahiṇā).
ਕਹਿਣਾ is a verb used to communicate something verbally or in writing.
Meaning: to communicate verbally or in writing (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular present participle is ਕਹਿੰਦਾ, while the feminine singular present participle is ਕਹਿੰਦੀ. For the masculine plural present participle, use ਕਹਿੰਦੇ. To express the future tense in the masculine singular, use ਕਹੇਗਾ.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kɛː˥.ɳäː/ (kahiṇā). It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- Because Punjabi is a tonal language, the pitch used when pronouncing ਕਹਿਣਾ can change the nuance of the statement, potentially altering the perceived emotion behind what is being said.
- In traditional Punjabi folk songs and poetry, the word ਕਹਿਣਾ is frequently used as a device where the poet asks a third party to 'say' or deliver a message to a lover, acting as a messenger.
- The root of ਕਹਿਣਾ is shared with the Sanskrit word kathā, which means 'story'. In many North Indian languages, the act of saying something and the act of storytelling are linguistically linked.
Examples in context
- ਉਹ ਕੁਝ ਕਹਿਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।oh kujh kahinā chāhundā hai.He wants to say something.
- ਸੱਚ ਕਹਿਣਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਹੈ।sach kahinā bahut zarūrī hai.It is very important to say the truth.
- ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਕਹਿਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹੋ?tusīñ kī kahinā chāhundē hō?What do you want to say?
Example conversation
Manpreet and Aman are discussing a secret.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਕਹਿਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।tuhānū ih gall kahnā chāhīdā hai.You should say this thing.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਮੈਂ ਡਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ।main dar rihā hāñ.I am afraid.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਬੱਸ ਸੱਚ ਕਹਿਣਾ ਸਿੱਖੋ।bass sach kahnā sikhō.Just learn to tell the truth.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ।ṭhīk hai, Manprīt.Okay, Manpreet.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ਕਹਿਣਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਕਹਿਣਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
