ਬੇਕਾਰ
bekaar
The English word "useless" is translated into Punjabi as ਬੇਕਾਰ (bekaar).
ਬੇਕਾਰ describes something that is without use or the possibility to be used. When used colloquially to describe a person, it frequently carries the meaning of being "unemployed" or "idle".
Meaning: without use or possibility to be used (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed using the Persian-derived prefix ਬੇ (be-), which means "without" or "non-".
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective used as a predicate, ਬੇਕਾਰ is invariable in both gender and number. This means the form remains the same whether you are saying "He is useless", "She is useless" or "They are useless".
How do you pronounce it?
bekaar
Did you know?
- The word ਬੇਕਾਰ is a loanword from Classical Persian, reflecting the deep historical influence of Persian on the Punjabi language during the Mughal era.
- In some regional dialects, ਬੇਕਾਰ is used as a mild filler word or an exclamation of frustration, similar to saying 'what a waste' in English.
- The root of the word, ਕਾਰ (kar), is related to the Persian word for 'work' or 'deed', meaning the word literally translates to 'without work'.
Examples in context
- ਇਹ ਮਸ਼ੀਨ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਬੇਕਾਰ ਹੈ।ih mashin bilkul bekar hai.This machine is completely useless.
- ਉਸਦੀ ਸਲਾਹ ਬੇਕਾਰ ਸੀ।usdi salah bekar si.His advice was useless.
Example conversation
Aman and Preet are looking at a broken umbrella.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਦੇਖੋ, ਇਹ ਛੱਤਰੀ ਬੇਕਾਰ ਹੈ।Preet, dekho, ih chhatri bekar hai.Preet, look, this umbrella is useless.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਾਂ ਅਮਨ, ਇਹ ਤਾਂ ਟੁੱਟ ਗਈ ਹੈ।han Aman, ih taan tutt gayi hai.Yes Aman, it is broken.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਕੀ ਅਸੀਂ ਇਸਨੂੰ ਠੀਕ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਾਂ?ki asi isnu theek kar sakde haan?Can we fix it?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਨਹੀਂ, ਇਹ ਬੇਕਾਰ ਹੋ ਚੁੱਕੀ ਹੈ।nahi, ih bekar ho chukki hai.No, it has become useless.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਬੇਕਾਰ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
