By now, you’ve got the basics of Punjabi conversation down. Today, we’ll step it up — learning how to shop in Punjabi like a local, bargain politely, and even use filler words to sound more natural.
1. Essential Vocabulary
| English | Punjabi (Gurmukhi) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ਕੀਮਤ | Kīmat |
| Expensive | ਮਹਿੰਗਾ / ਮਹਿੰਗੀ | Mahingā / Mahingī |
| Cheap | ਸਸਤਾ / ਸਸਤੀ | Sasatā / Sasatī |
| Discount | ਛੂਟ | Chhūṭ |
| Bargain | ਭਾਅ-ਤਾਅ | Bhā-tā |
| Quality | ਗੁਣਵੱਤਾ | Guṇvatā |
| Size | ਆਕਾਰ | Ākār |
| Weight | ਵਜ਼ਨ | Vazan |
| Cash | ਨਕਦ | Nakad |
| Receipt | ਰਸੀਦ | Rasīd |
2. Natural Shopping Phrases
These aren’t just textbook lines — they’re what locals actually say.
- ਇਹ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਦਾ ਹੈ?
(Eh kinnē dā hai?) → How much is this? - ਕੀ ਕੁਝ ਸਸਤਾ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ?
(Kī kujh sasatā kar sakdē hō?) → Can you make it cheaper? - ਥੋੜ੍ਹੀ ਛੂਟ ਦੇ ਦਿਓ ਜੀ।
(Thōṛhī chhūṭ dē diō jī.) → Please give me a small discount. - ਗੁਣਵੱਤਾ ਵਧੀਆ ਹੈ?
(Guṇvatā vadhīā hai?) → Is the quality good? - ਹੋਰ ਰੰਗ ਹੈ?
(Hōr rang hai?) → Do you have other colors?
3. Advanced Tip – Using Filler Words for Natural Flow
Punjabi speakers often sprinkle in filler words that soften speech and make bargaining friendly:
- ਓ ਜੀ… (Ō jī…) – Adds politeness
- ਵੇਖੋ ਜੀ… (Vēkhō jī…) – “See…” (used before making your case)
- ਹਾਂ ਜੀ, ਪਰ… (Hā̃ jī, par…) – “Yes, but…” to politely disagree
Example:
“ਵੇਖੋ ਜੀ, ਕੀ ਕੁਝ ਸਸਤਾ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ?”
(“See, sir/madam, can you make it a bit cheaper?”)
4. Cultural Notes
- Bargaining is common in street markets, not in malls or branded stores.
- Always smile — bargaining is as much about building rapport as getting a lower price.
- Ending with “ਧੰਨਵਾਦ” (Dhanvāad – thank you) leaves a good impression even if you don’t buy.
5. Practice Challenge
Write a mini-dialogue where you bargain for a Punjabi suit in the market, using at least 3 filler words and 2 polite phrases from today’s lesson.
Quick Recap:
✅ Advanced shopping vocabulary
✅ Natural phrases locals actually use
✅ How to sound friendly and polite while bargaining