ਕਿਹੜਾ
kehda
The English word "which" is translated to Punjabi as ਕਿਹੜਾ (kehda).
ਕਿਹੜਾ is an interrogative determiner used to ask "which" of those mentioned or implied.
Meaning: (interrogative) what, of those mentioned or implied (det)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of 'which' changes based on the gender of the noun it modifies, with ਕਿਹੜੀ being the feminine form. The form ਕਿਹੜੇ is used when 'which' refers to plural nouns. The default form ਕਿਹੜਾ is used for masculine singular nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
kehda
Did you know?
- In Punjabi, the word ਕਿਹੜਾ can be used rhetorically to mean 'no one' or 'none' in certain negative contexts, effectively turning a 'which' into a 'nobody'.
- Because Punjabi is tonal, the pitch used when saying ਕਿਹੜਾ can change the emotional weight of the question from a neutral inquiry to an expression of surprise.
- The phrase ਕਿਹੜਾ is part of a larger family of 'k-series' interrogatives in Punjabi, where words for 'who' ਕੌਣ and 'what' ਕੀ all begin with the same consonant sound.
Examples in context
- ਕਿਹੜਾ ਰੰਗ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਪਸੰਦ ਹੈ?kihṛā raṅg tuhānu pasand hai?Which color do you like?
Example conversation
At a fruit shop, Ravinder is asking Manpreet about her choice.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਫਲ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ?tuhānu kihṛā phal cāhīdā hai?Which fruit do you want?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੇਬ ਚਾਹੀਦੇ ਹਨ।mainū seb cāhīde han.I want apples.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਕਿਹੜਾ ਸੇਬ ਵਧੀਆ ਹੈ?kihṛā seb vadhīā hai?Which apple is good?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਇਹ ਲਾਲ ਵਾਲਾ ਵਧੀਆ ਹੈ।ih lāl vālā vadhīā hai.This red one is good.
