ਪਾਣੀ
pāṇī/päː.ɳiː/
Water in Punjabi is ਪਾਣੀ (pāṇī). Wiktionary also lists ਜਲ (jal) and ਆਬ (āba).
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ਪਾਣੀ | pāṇī | /päː.ɳiː/ |
| ਜਲ | jal | |
| ਆਬ | āba | /äːb/ |
The word for water refers to the inorganic compound H₂O.
Which one should you use?
While ਪਾਣੀ is the standard term used in everyday speech, ਜਲ is a more formal or poetic version of the word.
How do you pronounce it?
The two-syllable word ਪਾਣੀ is pronounced /päː.ɳiː/.
Did you know?
- The word ਪਾਣੀ is a linguistic relative of the word 'pani' used in Romani, a language spoken by people of Indian origin across Europe.
- In Punjabi culture, offering ਪਾਣੀ to a guest immediately upon arrival is a fundamental gesture of hospitality and respect.
- Punjabi uses the word ਪਾਣੀ in idioms to describe a person's character or 'honor', such as when someone's dignity is 'washed away'.
Examples in context
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੇGive me water.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ਪਾਣੀ.
- ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਲਈ ਪਾਣੀ ਲਓ।Please get some water for me.
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਗਲਾਸ ਪਾਣੀ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।mainū ik gilās pāṇī cāhīdā hai.I want a glass of water.
- ਕੀ ਪਾਣੀ ਪੀਣ ਯੋਗ ਹੈ?kī pāṇī pīṇ yog hai?Is the water drinkable?
Example conversation
Aman and Simran are at home during a hot afternoon.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਸਿਮਰਨ, ਕੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਥੋੜਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਮਿਲ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ?simran, kī mainū thōṛā pāṇī mil sakadā hai?Simran, can I get some water?
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਹਾਂ ਅਮਨ, ਇਹ ਰਿਹਾ ਪਾਣੀ।hā̃ aman, ih rīhā pāṇī.Yes Aman, here is the water.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਬਹੁਤ ਗਰਮੀ ਹੈ।dhannavād, bahut garamī hai.Thank you, it is very hot.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਸਹੀ ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ।sahī kahē rahē hō.You are right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations and entries ਪਾਣੀ, ਜਲ, ਆਬ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਆਬ, ਜਲ, ਪਾਣੀ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
