ਬਾਘ
bāgh/bɑ́ːɡ/Gurmukhi, masculine
The English word "tiger" is translated into Punjabi as ਬਾਘ (bāgh). Wiktionary also lists ਸ਼ੇਰ (śer) and شیر (pnb).
Meaning: The mammal Panthera tigris (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਬਾਘ | bāgh | /bɑ́ːɡ/ | Gurmukhi, masculine |
| ਸ਼ੇਰ | śer | /ʃeːɾ/ | Gurmukhi, masculine |
| شیر | pnb | Western Punjabi, masculine | |
| باگھ | bāgh | /bɑ́ːɡ/ | Western Punjabi, masculine |
This noun refers to the mammal Panthera tigris.
Which one should you use?
The word ਬਾਘ is the precise, formal term for the specific species tiger, whereas ਸ਼ੇਰ is more general and often refers to a lion.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Punjab, especially in Pakistan, the word ਸ਼ੇਰ is used to refer to a tiger.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms of this word are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
bāgh
Did you know?
- The word ਸ਼ੇਰ entered Punjabi through Classical Persian, while ਬਾਘ is derived from ancient Sanskrit.
- Because ਸ਼ੇਰ is used to mean both 'lion' and 'tiger', it has become a popular metaphorical way to describe a person who is brave or heroic.
- If you are reading Punjabi text in the Shahmukhi script, you will see the word for tiger written as شیر to mean 'lion' or باگھ for 'tiger'.
Examples in context
- ਬਾਘ ਜੰਗਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ।baagh jangal vich rahinda hai.The tiger lives in the jungle.
- ਬਾਘ ਬਹੁਤ ਸ਼ਕਤੀਸ਼ਾਲੀ ਜਾਨਵਰ ਹੈ।baagh bahut shaktishali jaanvar hai.The tiger is a very powerful animal.
- ਮੈਂ ਚਿੜੀਆਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਾਘ ਦੇਖਿਆ।main chiriyaghar vich baagh dekhiya.I saw a tiger in the zoo.
Example conversation
Manpreet and Harman are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਹਰਮਨ, ਦੇਖ, ਉਹ ਬਾਘ ਕਿੰਨਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਹੈ!Harman, dekh, oh baagh kinna vadda hai!Harman, look, how big that tiger is!
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਹਾਂ ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਡਰਾਉਣਾ ਲੱਗ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।Haan Manpreet, eh bahut darauna lagg riha hai.Yes Manpreet, it looks very scary.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਕੀ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਪਤਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਬਾਘ ਕੀ ਖਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ?Ki tainu pata hai ki baagh ki khanda hai?Do you know what a tiger eats?
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੱਗਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਮਾਸ ਖਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।Mainu laggda hai ki oh maas khanda hai.I think it eats meat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tiger” translations and entries ਬਾਘ, ਸ਼ੇਰ, باگھ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਬਾਘ, ਸ਼ੇਰ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
