ਗੁਲਾਮ
gulāmmasculine
The English word 'slave' is translated into Punjabi as ਗੁਲਾਮ (gulām).
The term is used to describe a person owned by another. To refer to the concept of 'slavery' itself, use the related form ਗੁਲਾਮੀ.
Meaning: person owned by another (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun ਗੁਲਾਮ can change based on number and possession. The plural form for 'slaves' is ਗੁਲਾਮਾਂ. To indicate possession by a male slave, use the masculine possessive form ਗੁਲਾਮ ਦਾ. To indicate possession by a female slave, use the feminine possessive form ਗੁਲਾਮ ਦੀ.
How do you pronounce it?
gulām
Did you know?
- The word ਗੁਲਾਮ is shared across several South Asian languages and originates from the Arabic word for 'youth' or 'boy' before it evolved to mean 'slave'.
- The phrase ਗੁਲਾਮੀ ਕਰਨਾ is often used sarcastically to describe a person who is 'brown-nosing' or being overly obedient to gain a favor.
- In a modern professional setting, some Punjabi dialects use ਗੁਲਾਮੀ to describe a worker's total dependence on a boss, even without any literal ownership.
Examples in context
- ਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਗੁਲਾਮ ਸੀ।oh ik gulām sī.He was a slave.
- ਗੁਲਾਮ ਦੀ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਗੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਲ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ।gulām dī jindagī bahut mushkil hundī hai.A slave's life is very difficult.
- ਕੀ ਉਹ ਗੁਲਾਮ ਸੀ?kī oh gulām sī?Was he a slave?
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a history book.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਕਿਰਨ, ਕੀ ਤੂੰ ਇਹ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਪੜ੍ਹੀ?Kiran, ki tu eh kitaab parhi?Kiran, did you read this book?
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਇੱਕ ਗੁਲਾਮ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ ਹੈ।Haan, eh ik gulaam di kahaani hai.Yes, it is the story of a slave.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਕੀ ਉਹ ਆਜ਼ਾਦ ਹੋ ਸਕਿਆ?Ki oh azaad ho sakia?Was he able to become free?
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਹਾਂ, ਅੰਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਹ ਆਜ਼ਾਦ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ।Haan, ant vich oh azaad ho gia.Yes, in the end, he became free.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “slave” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
