ਸੱਪ
sappa/səpp/masculine
The English word "snake" is translated into Punjabi as ਸੱਪ (sappa). Wiktionary also lists ਸਰਪ (sarap) and سپ (pnb).
Meaning: legless reptile (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਸੱਪ | sappa | /səpp/ | masculine |
| ਸਰਪ | sarap | masculine | |
| سپ | pnb | /səpːᵊ/ | Western Punjabi, masculine |
The term refers to a legless reptile.
Which one should you use?
While ਸੱਪ is the common word for snake, ਸਰਪ is a more formal or literary term often used in religious or poetic contexts. In the Majhi dialect, ਸੰਪ is used as an alternative to ਸਪ for snake.
Is it said differently in some regions?
ਸੰਪ is used in the Majhi dialect.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms ਸੱਪ, ਸਰਪ and سپ are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
sappa (/səpp/)
Did you know?
- The Punjabi word ਸੱਪ is a distant cousin of the English word 'serpent'. Both descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *serp-, which described the action of creeping or slithering.
- The form سپ is written in the Shahmukhi script, which is used by many Punjabi speakers in Pakistan, whereas ਸੱਪ is written in the Gurmukhi script used primarily in India.
- In Punjabi culture, the ਸੱਪ is often associated with the 'Nag' or cobra, and the act of charming one is a traditional folk art seen at rural fairs.
Examples in context
- ਮੇਰੇ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਸੰਪ ਹੈ।There is a snake in my field.
- ਉੱਥੇ ਇੱਕ ਸੱਪ ਹੈ।uthē ik sāpp hai.There is a snake there.
- ਸੱਪ ਬਹੁਤ ਤੇਜ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਚੱਲਦਾ ਹੈ।sāpp bahut tēzī nāl challadā hai.A snake moves very fast.
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੱਪ ਤੋਂ ਡਰ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ।mainū sāpp tōṅ dar laggadā hai.I am afraid of snakes.
Example conversation
Aman and Kiran are walking in a garden.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਕਿਰਨ, ਦੇਖ, ਉੱਥੇ ਇੱਕ ਸੱਪ ਹੈ!Kiran, dēkh, uthē ik sāpp hai!Kiran, look, there is a snake there!
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਓਹ ਨਹੀਂ, ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਡਰ ਗਈ ਹਾਂ।Oh nahīṅ, maiṅ bahut dar gaī hāṅ.Oh no, I am very scared.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਡਰ ਨਾ, ਉਹ ਸੱਪ ਦੂਰ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।Dar nā, uha dūr jā rihā hai.Don't be afraid, that snake is going away.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਚਲੋ, ਜਲਦੀ ਇੱਥੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਚੱਲਦੇ ਹਾਂ।Challō, jaladī itthōṅ dūr challadē hāṅ.Let's go far away from here quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snake” translations and entries ਸੱਪ, سپ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries سپ, ਸੱਪ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
