ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ
thodhi thodhi
The phrase thodi thodi means "a little bit" in Punjabi.
thodi thodi is used to describe a small amount of something or a limited degree of a quality. By repeating the word, the phrase can also emphasize an incremental or gradual process, similar to saying "little by little" or "bit by bit" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ (thodhi) means "little" or "some" when referring to a quantity or a feminine noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase depends on the gender of the noun being described.
How do you pronounce it?
thodhi thodhi
Did you know?
- When a Punjabi speaker says ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ in response to a question about their language skills, it often functions as a polite modesty marker rather than a literal description of their level.
- The 'd' in thodi is a retroflex sound, which requires curling your tongue back to touch the roof of your mouth. This produces a heavy, percussive sound that is much more forceful than the English 'd' in 'door'.
- Depending entirely on the speaker's tone, thodi thodi can shift meaning from 'a small amount' to 'hardly at all'. A sharp, dismissive tone can turn a phrase about 'some' into a phrase about 'almost none'.
Examples in context
- ਇਸ ਪੰਜੀ ਵਿੱਚ, ਥੋੜੇ ਥੋੜੇ ਖਰਚੇ ਦਾ ਰੇਕਾਰਡ ਰੱਖੋ।Maintain a record of the small expenses in this register.
- ਉਹ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਗੱਲ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ।She speaks a little bit.
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਆਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ।mainu thodi thodi panjabi aundi hai.I know a little bit of Punjabi.
Example conversation
Kiran is asking Gurpreet about his English skills.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਆਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ?ki tuhanu angrezi aundi hai?Do you know English?
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਹਾਂ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਆਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ।haan, mainu thodi thodi aundi hai.Yes, I know a little bit.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਬੋਲ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ?ki tusi angrezi bol sakde ho?Can you speak English?
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਮੈਂ ਬੋਲਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ।main bolan di koshish karda haan.I try to speak it.
