ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ
māf karnā
The English word "sorry" is expressed in Punjabi as ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ (māf karnā).
ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ is used as an expression of regret or sorrow. It is appropriate for both minor social transgressions, such as bumping into someone and for more serious apologies.
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ means "to forgive".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can increase the level of respect by adding the polite particle ਜੀ (jī) to the end, creating ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ ਜੀ (māf karnā jī).
How does it change in a sentence?
While the dictionary form is ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ, it is often used in a sentence as an imperative to mean "forgive me" or "please forgive".
How do you pronounce it?
māf karnā
Did you know?
- In highly traditional settings, an apology might be preceded by touching the feet of an elder, regardless of the words used.
- The word ਮਾਫ਼ (māf) is a traveler from the Middle East, having passed through Persian and Arabic before entering Punjabi.
- While you use ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ (māf karnā) to apologize, the word ਮਾਫ਼ (māf) itself is also used in legal or formal contexts to mean 'acquitted' or 'cleared'.
Example conversation
Simran accidentally broke Gurpreet's favorite mug.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਮੇਰੀ ਗਲਤੀ ਹੈ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ।merī galtī hai, mainū māf karanā.It is my fault, please forgive me.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਿਮਰਨ।koī gall nahīṃ, simran.It is okay, Simran.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਕੀ ਮੈਂ ਨਵਾਂ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਆਵਾਂ?kī maiṃ navāṃ lai kē āvāṃ?Should I bring a new one?
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਹਾਂ, ਕਿਉਂ ਨਹੀਂ।hāṃ, kioṃ nahīṃ.Yes, why not.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਕਰਨਾ, ਮਾਫ਼, CC BY-SA 4.0.
