ਡੰਡਾ
ḍaṇḍā
In Punjabi, the English word 'stick' is translated as ਡੰਡਾ (ḍaṇḍā).
The word ਡੰਡਾ is used to refer to a long piece of wood, such as a walking stick, a staff or a blunt stick used for hitting.
Meaning: long piece of wood (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ਡੰਡਾ has two plural forms depending on how it is used in a sentence. In the direct case, the plural is ਡੰਡੇ. When used in the oblique case, such as when following a preposition, the plural form is ਡੰਡਿਆਂ.
How do you pronounce it?
ḍaṇḍā
Did you know?
- The word ਡੰਡਾ descends from the Sanskrit word दण्ड, which means 'staff' or 'punishment'.
- In traditional Punjabi rural settings, a ਡੰਡਾ can symbolize authority or the role of a village headman when used as a ceremonial staff.
- While ਡੰਡਾ is a noun, it can be used in a playful or sarcastic way to describe a stiff, awkward person who cannot dance or move fluidly.
Examples in context
- ਇੱਕ ਲੰਬਾ ਡੰਡਾ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਿਓ।ik lambā ḍanḍā maunū di'ō.Give me a long stick.
- ਕੀ ਇਹ ਡੰਡਾ ਮਜ਼ਬੂਤ ਹੈ?kī ih ḍanḍā mazabūta hai?Is this stick strong?
Example conversation
Harmen and Kiran are cleaning up a garden.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕਿਰਨ, ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਡੰਡਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ?Kiran, kī tuhānu ik ḍanḍā cāhidā hai?Kiran, do you need a stick?
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਹਾਂ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਡੰਡਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।Hā̃, maunū ik ḍanḍā cāhidā hai.Yes, I need a stick.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਇਹ ਲਓ, ਇਹ ਕਾਫੀ ਲੰਬਾ ਹੈ।Ih lō, ih kāfī lambā hai.Take this, it is quite long.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਹਰਮਨ।Thanavāda, Haraman.Thanks, Harmen.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਡੰਡਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
