ਦਹੀਂ
dahī̃[də˨ĩː]
The English word "yogurt" is ਦਹੀਂ (dahī̃) in Punjabi.
ਦਹੀਂ refers to a milk-based product thickened by a bacterium-aided curdling process. In Punjabi cuisine, it is a staple used both as a standalone side dish and as a base for many sauces and marinades.
Meaning: a milk-based product thickened by a bacterium-aided curdling process (noun)
Which one should you use?
ਦਹੀਂ refers specifically to yogurt and is distinct from doodh (milk) or makhkhan (butter).
How do you pronounce it?
dahī̃
Did you know?
- While ਦਹੀਂ refers to the curd, the process of churning it to make butter is a central theme in Punjabi folk songs and poetry, symbolizing transformation.
- In Punjabi culture, offering ਦਹੀਂ and sugar is sometimes seen as a way to provide a 'sweet' and 'cool' blessing during ceremonies.
- The word ਦਹੀਂ is inherited from the Prakrit word dahia.
Examples in context
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦਹੀਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਸੰਦ ਹੈ।mainū dahi baha-t pasand hai.I like yogurt very much.
- ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਦਹੀਂ ਖਾਓਗੇ?kī tusī̃ dahi khā'ōgē?Will you eat yogurt?
- ਇਹ ਦਹੀਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਤਾਜ਼ਾ ਹੈ।ih dahi baha-t tāzā hai.This yogurt is very fresh.
Example conversation
Preet and Aman are in the kitchen having breakfast.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਅਮਨ, ਕੀ ਅਸੀਂ ਦਹੀਂ ਖਾ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਾਂ?Aman, kī asī̃ dahi khā sakadē hā̃?Aman, can we eat yogurt?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਹਾਂ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਮੈਂ ਦਹੀਂ ਲੈ ਆਇਆ ਹਾਂ।hā̃ Preet, maĩ dahi lai ā'i'ā hā̃.Yes Preet, I have brought the yogurt.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭੁੱਖ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੈ।baha-t vadhī'ā, mainū bhukha lagī hai.Very good, I am hungry.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਚਲੋ, ਫਿਰ ਜਲਦੀ ਖਾ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ।chalō, phira jaladī khā lainadē hā̃.Come on, then let's eat quickly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ਦਹੀਂ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਦਹੀਂ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
