Sat Sri Akal! 🙏
Welcome back to our Punjabi learning series!
So far, you’ve learned how to greet, count, ask questions, tell the time, and describe things.
Today, we’ll focus on family terms — because family is central to Punjabi culture and daily conversations.
🏠 1. Immediate Family
| English | Punjabi (Gurmukhi) | Punjabi (Romanized) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father | ਪਿਤਾ / ਬਾਪੂ | pita / baapu | pi-taa / baa-poo |
| Mother | ਮਾਂ / ਮਾਤਾ | maan / maata | maa(n) / maa-taa |
| Son | ਪੁੱਤਰ / ਮੁੰਡਾ | puttar / munda | pu-ttur / moon-daa |
| Daughter | ਧੀ / ਕੁੜੀ | dhee / kuri | dhee / koo-ree |
| Brother | ਭਰਾ | bhra | bh-raa |
| Sister | ਭੈਣ | bhain | bhain |
💡 Tip: Baapu and Maan are warmer, informal terms often used at home, while Pita and Maata are formal.
👵 2. Extended Family
| English | Punjabi (Gurmukhi) | Punjabi (Romanized) |
|---|---|---|
| Grandfather (paternal) | ਦਾਦਾ | dada |
| Grandmother (paternal) | ਦਾਦੀ | dadi |
| Grandfather (maternal) | ਨਾਨਾ | naana |
| Grandmother (maternal) | ਨਾਨੀ | naani |
| Uncle (father’s brother) | ਚਾਚਾ | chaacha |
| Aunt (father’s brother’s wife) | ਚਾਚੀ | chaachi |
| Uncle (mother’s brother) | ਮਾਮਾ | maama |
| Aunt (mother’s sister) | ਮਾਸੀ | maasi |
| Cousin (male) | ਭਰਾ / ਮੁੰਡਾ | bhra / munda |
| Cousin (female) | ਭੈਣ / ਕੁੜੀ | bhain / kuri |
🗣 3. Example Sentences
Example 1:
- English: This is my father.
- Punjabi: ਇਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਹਨ। (Eh mere pita han.)
Example 2:
- English: Her mother is kind.
- Punjabi: ਉਸ ਦੀ ਮਾਂ ਦਿਆਲੂ ਹੈ। (Us di maan diaalu hai.)
Example 3:
- English: My grandmother lives in Amritsar.
- Punjabi: ਮੇਰੀ ਦਾਦੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹਿੰਦੀ ਹੈ। (Meri dadi Amritsar vich rehndi hai.)
✏️ Practice Exercise
- Draw your family tree and label members in Punjabi.
- Write three sentences introducing family members to a friend.
- Try mixing with Lesson 7: Meri chhoti behan (my younger sister), Mere vadde pita (my elder father — in context, “my father” if older in age to someone else’s father).
🎯 Key Takeaway
Family words are core vocabulary in Punjabi, not only for introductions but also for showing respect and warmth.
In Punjabi culture, extended family titles are important, and using the right word shows closeness and respect.