ਵਿਆਹ
viāha/ʋɪ.äː˥/
The English word "wedding" is ਵਿਆਹ (viāha) in Punjabi.
ਵਿਆਹ refers to a marriage ceremony. Within Punjabi wedding traditions, you may encounter specific terms for different stages and rituals, such as Mehndi for the application of henna to the hands and feet of the bride (and sometimes the groom) and Vidaai for the emotional moment when the bride bids farewell to her family after the ceremony.
Meaning: marriage ceremony (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /ʋɪ.äː˥/. It consists of 2 syllables.
When do people say it?
In Sikhism, the sacred wedding ceremony is known as Anand Karaj.
Did you know?
- In many Punjabi traditions, the groom's shoes are stolen by the bride's sisters and cousins in a playful game called Joota Chupai.
- Punjabi weddings often feature a ritual called Jago, where women carry decorated pots with candles on their heads and sing songs to wake up the neighborhood.
- The word ਵਿਆਹ descends from a Sanskrit term meaning 'taking away [the bride]'.
Examples in context
- ਵਿਆਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਸੀ।viāha bahuta sundara sī.The wedding was very beautiful.
- ਮੈਂ ਅਗਲੇ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ ਇੱਕ ਵਿਆਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ।maiṅ agalē haphatē ikka viāha vica jā rihā hāṅ.I am going to a wedding next week.
- ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਵਿਆਹ ਕਦੋਂ ਹੈ?uṅhāṅ dā viāha kadōṅ hai?When is their wedding?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about an upcoming family event.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਵਿਆਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਓਗੇ?Manpreet, ki tusi viah vich aaoge?Manpreet, will you come to the wedding?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਹਾਂ ਰਵਿੰਦਰ, ਮੈਂ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਆਵਾਂਗੀ।Han Ravinder, main zaroor avangi.Yes Ravinder, I will definitely come.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਵਿਆਹ ਅਗਲੇ ਐਤਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਹੈ।Viah agle aitvar nu hai.The wedding is next Sunday.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਮੈਂ ਉੱਥੇ ਮਿਲਾਂਗੀ।Main uthe milangi.I will meet you there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ਵਿਆਹ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਵਿਆਹ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
