Punjabi Phrases Everyone Should Know

Learning Punjabi starts with simple, everyday phrases that children can use right away. At Punjabi Palette, we teach children practical Punjabi they can use at home, with grandparents, and in everyday conversations.

Our lessons include phrases in English, Roman Punjabi, and Punjabi (Gurmukhi) so every child can learn in the way that feels easiest for them.

Greetings & Introductions

One of the first things children learn is how to greet someone and introduce themselves.

• Hello — Sat Sri Akaal — ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ

• How are you? — Tusi kivein ho? — ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ?

• I am good — Main theek haan — ਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਹਾਂ

• What is your name? — Tuhada naam ki hai? — ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਹੈ?

• My name is... — Mera naam ___ hai — ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ ___ ਹੈ

• Nice to meet you — Tuhanu mil ke changa lagya — ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਮਿਲ ਕੇ ਚੰਗਾ ਲੱਗਿਆ

These simple phrases help children begin speaking Punjabi with confidence.

At Home

We also teach useful Punjabi phrases children can use every day at home.

• Come here — Ithay aao — ਇੱਥੇ ਆਓ

• Sit down — Baitho — ਬੈਠੋ

• Let’s eat — Chalo khaie — ਚਲੋ ਖਾਈਏ

• I am hungry — Mainu bhukh lagi hai — ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭੁੱਖ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੈ

• I am thirsty — Mainu pyaas lagi hai — ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪਿਆਸ ਲੱਗੀ ਹੈ

• Thank you — Dhanvaad — ਧੰਨਵਾਦ

• Please — Kirpa karke — ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ

Using these phrases at home helps children remember and practice what they learn in class.

Talking About Family

Family is such an important part of Punjabi culture, so children learn how to talk about their family members early on.

• This is my mom — Eh meri mummy hai — ਇਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਮੰਮੀ ਹੈ

• This is my dad — Eh mere daddy ji han — ਇਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਡੈਡੀ ਜੀ ਹਨ

• I have one brother — Mere kol ik veer hai — ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਇਕ ਵੀਰ ਹੈ

• I have one sister — Mere kol ik bhain hai — ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਇਕ ਭੈਣ ਹੈ

• I love my family — Main apne parivaar nu pyar karda/kardi haan — ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਪਿਆਰ ਕਰਦਾ/ਕਰਦੀ ਹਾਂ

Children love learning these phrases because they can use them right away with family members.

Colours & Favourite Things

We make learning fun by teaching children how to talk about their favourite colours and things.

• I like apples — Mainu seb pasand han — ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸੇਬ ਪਸੰਦ ਹਨ

• I do not like bananas — Mainu kele pasand nahi han — ਮੈਨੂੰ ਕੇਲੇ ਪਸੰਦ ਨਹੀਂ ਹਨ

• What do you like? — Tuhanu ki pasand hai? — ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਕੀ ਪਸੰਦ ਹੈ?

These phrases help children start having simple conversations in Punjabi.

In Class

We also teach classroom phrases so children feel comfortable and confident during lessons.

• Can I have help? — Ki tusi meri madad kar sakde ho? — ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ?

• I do not understand — Mainu samajh nahi aaya — ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਇਆ

• Can you say it again? — Ki tusi dubara keh sakde ho? — ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਦੁਬਾਰਾ ਕਹਿ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ?

• I know the answer! — Mainu jawab pata hai! — ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜਵਾਬ ਪਤਾ ਹੈ!

These phrases encourage children to participate and build confidence while speaking.

Why We Teach Through Phrases

At Punjabi Palette, we focus on phrases instead of just single words because phrases help children speak naturally and remember what they learn more easily.

Rather than only learning a word like “apple,” children learn a full sentence such as:

“I like apples” — Mainu seb pasand han.

This helps children understand how Punjabi is used in real life and gives them the confidence to start speaking from the very beginning.

Our goal is for children to leave each class able to say something new in Punjabi and feel proud of what they have learned.