Language/Panjabi/Grammar/Asking-Questions
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Welcome to the lesson on asking questions in Panjabi! In this lesson, we will learn how to form questions and use question words like who, what, where, when, why, and how. Asking questions is an essential skill in any language as it allows us to gather information, seek clarification, and engage in meaningful conversations. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently ask questions in Panjabi and have conversations with native speakers. So let's dive in!
Basic Structure of Questions[edit | edit source]
Before we delve into the specific question words, let's first understand the basic structure of questions in Panjabi. In Panjabi, the word order in questions is generally the same as in statements, with the subject followed by the verb and then the object. However, to indicate that a sentence is a question, we use intonation and question particles. Let's look at an example:
Example 1:
- Statement: ਮੈਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main Panjabi bolda haan.) - I speak Panjabi.
- Question: ਕੀ ਮੈਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹਾਂ? (Ki main Panjabi bolda haan?) - Do I speak Panjabi?
In the question above, we can see that the word order remains the same, but the question particle "ਕੀ" (ki) is added at the beginning of the sentence. The intonation also changes to indicate that it is a question.
Now that we understand the basic structure, let's explore the different question words and how they are used in Panjabi.
Question Words[edit | edit source]
Question words are used to seek specific information in a question. In Panjabi, question words are similar to English and are used in a similar way. Let's explore each question word and its usage with examples.
Who[edit | edit source]
The question word "who" is used to inquire about a person's identity or to ask about the subject of a sentence. In Panjabi, "who" is translated as "ਕੌਣ" (kaun). Let's take a look at some examples:
Example 2:
- Statement: ਰਾਮ ਪੜ੍ਹਦਾ ਹੈ। (Ram parhda hai.) - Ram studies.
- Question: ਕੌਣ ਪੜ੍ਹਦਾ ਹੈ? (Kaun parhda hai?) - Who studies?
Example 3:
- Statement: ਮੇਰੇ ਯਾਰ ਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ। (Mere yaar aunde han.) - My friends are coming.
- Question: ਕੌਣ ਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ? (Kaun aunde han?) - Who is coming?
What[edit | edit source]
The question word "what" is used to inquire about something or to ask for information about an object or an action. In Panjabi, "what" is translated as "ਕੀ" (ki). Let's see some examples:
Example 4:
- Statement: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪੜ੍ਹਦੇ ਹੋ। (Tusi parhde ho.) - You study.
- Question: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਪੜ੍ਹਦੇ ਹੋ? (Tusi ki parhde ho?) - What do you study?
Example 5:
- Statement: ਮੈਂ ਕੁਦੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਗਾਣਾ ਗਾਉਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main kudiyan nu gaana gaunda haan.) - I sing songs to girls.
- Question: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਗਾਣਾ ਗਾਉਂਦੇ ਹੋ? (Tusi ki gaana gaunde ho?) - What songs do you sing?
Where[edit | edit source]
The question word "where" is used to inquire about a location or a place. In Panjabi, "where" is translated as "ਕਿੱਥੇ" (kithe). Let's look at some examples:
Example 6:
- Statement: ਮੇਰਾ ਘਰ ਅੰਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ। (Mera ghar America vich hai.) - My house is in America.
- Question: ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਘਰ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ? (Tuhada ghar kithe hai?) - Where is your house?
Example 7:
- Statement: ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਡੇ ਯਾਰ ਹਨ। (Punjab vich bahut sade yaar han.) - We have a lot of friends in Punjab.
- Question: ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਯਾਰ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹਨ? (Tuhade yaar kithe han?) - Where are your friends?
When[edit | edit source]
The question word "when" is used to inquire about a specific time or to ask about the time an event is taking place. In Panjabi, "when" is translated as "ਕਦੋਂ" (kadon). Let's see some examples:
Example 8:
- Statement: ਮੈਂ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main savere jaanda haan.) - I go in the morning.
- Question: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਦੋਂ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹੋ? (Tusi kadon jaande ho?) - When do you go?
Example 9:
- Statement: ਮੇਰੀ ਬਿੱਲੀ ਰਾਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਗਦੀ ਹੈ। (Meri billi raat vich jaagdi hai.) - My cat stays awake at night.
- Question: ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਬਿੱਲੀ ਕਦੋਂ ਜਾਗਦੀ ਹੈ? (Tuhadi billi kadon jaagdi hai?) - When does your cat stay awake?
Why[edit | edit source]
The question word "why" is used to inquire about the reason or the cause of something. In Panjabi, "why" is translated as "ਕਿਉਂ" (kiun). Let's take a look at some examples:
Example 10:
- Statement: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪੜ੍ਹੋਗੇ। (Tusi parhoge.) - You will study.
- Question: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਉਂ ਪੜ੍ਹੋਗੇ? (Tusi kiun parhoge?) - Why will you study?
Example 11:
- Statement: ਸਾਡੀ ਗੱਡੀ ਖਰਾਬ ਹੋ ਗਈ। (Sadi gaddi kharab ho gayi.) - Our car broke down.
- Question: ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਗੱਡੀ ਕਿਉਂ ਖਰਾਬ ਹੋ ਗਈ? (Tuhadi gaddi kiun kharab ho gayi?) - Why did your car break down?
How[edit | edit source]
The question word "how" is used to inquire about the manner, state, or condition of something. In Panjabi, "how" is translated as "ਕਿਵੇਂ" (kiven). Let's see some examples:
Example 12:
- Statement: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਗਾਣਾ ਗਾਉਣਗੇ। (Tusi gaana gaonge.) - You will sing a song.
- Question: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਗਾਣਾ ਗਾਉਣਗੇ? (Tusi kiven gaana gaonge?) - How will you sing a song?
Example 13:
- Statement: ਸਾਡੇ ਯਾਰ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿੱਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਿਆਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। (Sade yaar apne pitta naal bahut pyar karde han.) - Our friends love their fathers very much.
- Question: ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਯਾਰ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਪਿੱਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਪਿਆਰ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ? (Tuhade yaar kiven apne pitta naal pyar karde han?) - How do your friends love their fathers?
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
In Panjabi culture, asking questions is an important part of communication. Panjabi people are known for their curiosity and their desire to learn about others. When engaging in conversations with Panjabi speakers, asking questions shows genuine interest and is a way to build connections. It is also common for Panjabi speakers to ask personal questions, such as about family, occupation, and marital status, as a way to get to know someone better. However, it is essential to be respectful and considerate when asking personal questions, as some topics may be sensitive or private. Overall, asking questions in Panjabi culture is seen as a way to foster understanding and create meaningful relationships.
Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now, let's practice what we have learned! Complete the following exercises to reinforce your understanding of asking questions in Panjabi.
Exercise 1: Translate the following statements into questions using the appropriate question word.
1. Statement: ਮੈਂ ਸੁਪਨਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main supna vich Panjab jaanda haan.) - I go to Punjab in my dreams.
Question: ਮੈਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ? (Main kithe jaanda haan?) - Where do I go?
2. Statement: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਉਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ? (Tusi kyun apne kaam nahi karde?) - Why don't you do your work?
Question: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਸ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ? (Tusi kis kaam nahi karde?) - What work don't you do?
3. Statement: ਮੇਰੇ ਕੁੱਤੇ ਸੌਭਾਗਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ। (Mere kutte saubhaga vich han.) - My dogs are lucky.
Question: ਮੇਰੇ ਕੁੱਤੇ ਕਿਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ? (Mere kutte kis vich han?) - In what are my dogs lucky?
Exercise 2: Answer the following questions in Panjabi.
1. Question: ਕੌਣ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਪਾਠ ਪੜਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ? (Kaun tussiannu paath parhaunda hai?) - Who teaches you?
Answer: ਮੇਰੇ ਉਸਤਾਦ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਪਾਠ ਪੜਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ। (Mere ustaad tussiannu paath parhaunde han.) - My teacher teaches me.
2. Question: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਉਠਦੇ ਹੋ? (Tusi kiven savere uthe ho?) - How do you wake up in the morning?
Answer: ਮੈਂ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਉਠਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਅਲਾਰਮ ਬਾਜ਼ੀ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। (Main savere uthta haan jadon mera alarm bajda hai.) - I wake up in the morning when my alarm goes off.
3. Question: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹੋ? (Tusi kithe jaande ho?) - Where do you go?
Answer: ਮੈਂ ਕੰਪਿਊਟਰ ਕਲਾਸ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main computer class jaanda haan.) - I go to computer class.
Solutions[edit | edit source]
Exercise 1:
1. ਮੈਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ? (Main kithe jaanda haan?) - Where do I go? 2. ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਸ ਕੰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦੇ? (Tusi kis kaam nahi karde?) - What work don't you do? 3. ਮੇਰੇ ਕੁੱਤੇ ਕਿਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ? (Mere kutte kis vich han?) - In what are my dogs lucky?
Exercise 2:
1. ਮੇਰੇ ਉਸਤਾਦ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਪਾਠ ਪੜਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ। (Mere ustaad tussiannu paath parhaunde han.) - My teacher teaches me. 2. ਮੈਂ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਉਠਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਮੇਰਾ ਅਲਾਰਮ ਬਾਜ਼ੀ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ। (Main savere uthta haan jadon mera alarm bajda hai.) - I wake up in the morning when my alarm goes off. 3. ਮੈਂ ਕੰਪਿਊਟਰ ਕਲਾਸ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Main computer class jaanda haan.) - I go to computer class.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have now learned how to form questions in Panjabi and use question words. Asking questions is an essential skill that will help you engage in conversations and gather information. Practice asking questions in different contexts to further enhance your Panjabi language skills. Keep up the great work, and soon you'll be able to have meaningful conversations with native Panjabi speakers.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Nouns
- Likes and Dislikes
- Nouns and Pronouns
- 0 to A1 Course
- Gurmukhi Alphabet
- Conditional Mood
- Conjunctions
- Give your Opinion
- Emotions and Feelings
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