ਸਿਫ਼ਰ
sifar/sɪ.fə.ɾə̆/
The English phrase zero is translated into Punjabi as ਸਿਫ਼ਰ (sifar), representing the cardinal number denoting nothing. Wiktionary also lists ਜ਼ੀਰੋ (zīro) and ੦.
Meaning: cardinal number before 1, denoting nothing (num)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਸਿਫ਼ਰ | sifar | /sɪ.fə.ɾə̆/ /sɪ.pʰə.ɾə̆/ |
|
| ਜ਼ੀਰੋ | zīro | ||
| ੦ | numeral |
In Punjabi, you can express the concept of zero using the formal term ਸਿਫ਼ਰ, the English loanword ਜ਼ੀਰੋ or the specific numeral ੦.
Which one should you use?
The term ਸਿਫ਼ਰ (sifar) is the formal or mathematical term for zero. In contrast, ਜ਼ੀਰੋ (zīro) is a common loanword from English used in everyday speech, such as when discussing scores, temperatures or phone numbers.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /sɪ.fə.ɾə̆/ and is broken into three syllables: sifar.
Did you know?
- In Punjabi, the concept of zero is closely linked to the word ਸੁੰਨ, which describes a state of profound silence or a deep meditative void.
- The word ਸਿਫ਼ਰ shares an unexpected ancestral link with the English word 'zero' through its journey from Arabic and Persian.
- The numeral ੦ is part of the Gurmukhi script, which was standardized to ensure the Sikh scriptures could be read and written consistently.
Examples in context
- ਸੰਖਿਆ ਸਿਫ਼ਰ ਤੋਂ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ।sankhiya sifar ton shuru hundī hai.The number starts from zero.
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਿਫ਼ਰ ਅੰਕ ਮਿਲਿਆ।mainū sifar ank miliā.I received a zero score.
Example conversation
Harman and Preet are discussing a test result.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਤੇਰਾ ਸਕੋਰ ਕੀ ਹੈ?Preet, tera score ki hai?Preet, what is your score?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਮੇਰਾ ਸਕੋਰ ਸਿਫ਼ਰ ਹੈ।mera score sifar hai.My score is zero.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕਿਉਂ, ਕੀ ਹੋਇਆ?kyun, ki hoia?Why, what happened?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਮੈਂ ਪੇਪਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਦਿੱਤਾ।main pepar nahin ditta.I didn't take the exam.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zero” translations and entries ਸਿਫ਼ਰ, ੦, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਸਿਫ਼ਰ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
