ਪਤਨੀ
patnī
The English word wife is translated into Punjabi as ਪਤਨੀ (patnī). Wiktionary also lists ਵਹੁਟੀ (vahuṭī) and ਜ਼ਨਾਨੀ (zanānī).
Meaning: female partner in a marriage (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਪਤਨੀ | patnī | ||
| ਵਹੁਟੀ | vahuṭī | /ʋɔː˦.ʈiː/ | feminine |
| ਜ਼ਨਾਨੀ | zanānī | /zə̆.ˈnaːn.niː/ /d͡ʒə̆.ˈnaːn.niː/ |
feminine |
| ਘਰਵਾਲ਼ੀ | gharvāḷī | feminine | |
| ਰੰਨ | rann | /ɾənn/ | derogatory, feminine |
The term refers to a female partner in a marriage.
What does it mean word for word?
The informal term ਘਰਵਾਲ਼ੀ is composed of ghar (house) and vāḷī (one who possesses/belongs to), which literally means 'the one who belongs to the house'.
Which one should you use?
The words ਵਹੁਟੀ, ਜ਼ਨਾਨੀ and ਘਰਵਾਲ਼ੀ are all feminine forms used to denote a wife.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ਪਤਨੀ is the formal and standard term used in polite speech or official documents. ਘਰਵਾਲ਼ੀ is an informal term. You should avoid using ਰੰਨ as it is a highly offensive, derogatory slur.
How do you pronounce it?
patnī
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the term ਰੰਨ, as it is a derogatory slur and highly offensive.
Did you know?
- The word ਜ਼ਨਾਨੀ shares a common ancient ancestor with the English word 'woman', tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *gʷḗn.
- The term ਘਰਵਾਲ਼ੀ has a male counterpart ਘਰਵਾਲ਼ਾ, which is a common way to say 'husband' in informal settings.
- The term ਵਹੁਟੀ is specifically used for a newlywed bride or a young wife, rather than any woman in a marriage.
Examples in context
- ਉਸ ਦੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਹੈ।us dī patnī bahut śānt hai.His wife is very calm.
- ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਵੀ ਆਵੇਗੀ?kī tuhāḍī patnī vī āvēgī?Will your wife also come?
Example conversation
Simran and Ravinder are talking about a dinner party.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਨੂੰ ਬੁਲਾਓ।Tusi apni patni nu bulao.Please call your wife.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਉਹ ਹੁਣੇ ਆ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।Oh hune aa rahi hai.She is coming right now.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਮੈਂ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੀ ਹਾਂ।Main usnu milna chahundi han.I want to meet her.
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਉਹ ਜਲਦੀ ਹੀ ਮਿਲ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ।Oh jaldi hi mil javegi.She will meet you soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wife” translations and entries ਪਤਨੀ, ਵਹੁਟੀ, ਜ਼ਨਾਨੀ, ਰੰਨ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਜ਼ਨਾਨੀ, ਪਤਨੀ, ਵਹੁਟੀ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
