ਕਦੋਂ
kadoṁ
The English word 'when' is translated into Punjabi as ਕਦੋਂ (kadoṁ).
Meaning: as soon as, at the time that (conj)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish ਕਦੋਂ from ਜਦੋਂ (jadon). While ਕਦੋਂ is used to ask a direct question such as 'When?', the word ਜਦੋਂ is a conjunction used to connect clauses to mean 'at the time that' or 'whenever'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kadoṁ.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse the interrogative 'when' (ਕਦੋਂ) with the conjunction 'when' (ਜਦੋਂ), which is used to mean 'at the time that'.
Did you know?
- While ਕਦੋਂ asks 'when', Punjabi uses a completely different root for 'at what time', often using ਕਿੰਨੇ ਵਜੇ (kinne vaje) to specify the clock hour.
- The Sanskrit root of ਕਦੋਂ is linked to a class of words used purely to signal that a question is being asked, rather than carrying a specific meaning of 'time' themselves.
- If you want to ask 'since when', you do not add a new word but simply add ਤੋਂ (toṁ) to the end of ਕਦੋਂ, creating ਕਦੋਂ ਤੋਂ (kadoṁ toṁ).
Examples in context
- ਤੈਨੂ ਕਦੋਂ ਪਤਾ ਲਗਾ?When did you find out?This sentence shows how to use ਕਦੋਂ to ask about the timing of an event.Tatoeba #2056518 by RadiumCat, translation #1839626 by CK
- ਤੁਸੀਂ ੲਿਥੋਂ ਕਦੋਂ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ?When do you leave here?This sentence demonstrates how to use ਕਦੋਂ to ask about a person's departure time.Tatoeba #3788506 by RadiumCat, translation #66332 by CK
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie plan.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਫਿਲਮ ਕਦੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ?Filama kadōñ shurū hōvēgī?When will the movie start?
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਸ਼ਾਇਦ ਪੰਜ ਮਿੰਟਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ।Shāyada pañ mintañ vicha.Maybe in five minutes.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਕੀ ਅਸੀਂ ਹੁਣ ਪੌਪਕੌਰਨ ਲਈਏ?Kī asīñ huṇa pōpakōran la'īē?Should we get popcorn now?
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਹਾਂ, ਚਲੋ ਜਲਦੀ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਾਂ।Hāñ, chalō jaldī karadē hāñ.Yes, let's do it quickly.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਕਦੋਂ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
