Language/Panjabi/Grammar/Nouns

Panjabi Grammar - Nouns

Hi Panjabi learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about Panjabi nouns. We will discover how to identify them, the different types of nouns in Panjabi, their gender, number, and case.

What is a noun?

A noun refers to a person, place, thing, or idea. In Panjabi, a noun is called "ਸਿੱਖ" (sikkh).

Example:

Panjabi	Pronunciation	English
ਕਮਲ	kamal	Lotus

In the example above, "ਕਮਲ" (kamal) is a noun that refers to a type of flower.

Types of Nouns

There are different types of nouns in Panjabi. Here are some examples:

ਵਾਕ || Vak - Common or Countable Nouns

Vak refers to common or countable nouns. These nouns can be singular or plural.

Examples:

• ਗਾਣਾ - Gaana (Song)
• ਕਿਤਾਬ - Kitaab (Book)

When we use a countable noun in a sentence, it takes different forms depending on whether it's in the singular or plural form. This is called "ਵਚਨ" (Vachan) in Panjabi.

Here's an example in the singular and plural form:

• "ਮੈਂ ਕਿਤਾਬ ਪੜਦਾ/ਪੜਦੀ ਹਾਂ ।" (Main kitaab pardaa/pardi haan.) - I am reading a book.
• "ਉਹਨਾਂ ਕਿਤਾਬਾਂ ਨੇ ਉਹਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਫਾਇਦਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ।" (Unhaan kitaabaan ne unno bahut faidaa dittaa.) - Those books gave them a lot of benefit.

ਅਸਾਧਾਰਣ ਵਾਕ || Asadharn Vak - Proper Nouns

Asadharn Vak refers to proper nouns. These nouns are specific and unique. In general, proper nouns in Panjabi are capitalized.

Examples:

• ਭਾਰਤ - Bharat (India)
• ਕੰਪਿਊਟਰ - Computer

When we use a proper noun in a sentence, it does not take different forms.

Example:

• "ਹਰਮਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਕੰਪਿਊਟਰ ਦੀ ਮਦਦ ਨਾਲ ਗਾਣਾ ਬਣਾਇਆ।" (Harman Singh ne aapne computer di madad naal gaanaa banaaya.) - Harman Singh made a song with the help of his computer.

ਨਾਇਕ || Naik - Abstract Nouns

Naik refers to abstract nouns. These nouns are intangible and refer to emotions, ideas or concepts.

Examples:

• ਪ੍ਰੀਤ - Preet (Love)
• ਆਪਣਾਪਣਾਂ - Apnapanaan (Belongingness)

When we use an abstract noun in a sentence, it does not take different forms.

Example:

• "ਮੈਂ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਦਾ ਇਜਹਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ।" (Mainne aapne preet da ijhaar kiita.) - I expressed my love.

Gender of Nouns

Nouns in Panjabi also have genders. They can be:

• ਪੁਲਿੰਗ || Puling - Masculine Gender
• ਸਤਰੀੰਗ || Strieng - Feminine Gender

Here are some examples:

Panjabi	Pronunciation	English
ਮੁੰਡਾ	Munda	Boy (Masculine)
ਕੁੜੀ	Kudi	Girl (Feminine)
ਗੁਰੂ	Guru	Guru (Masculine)

To identify the gender of a noun in Panjabi, we consider its ending. For example, nouns ending with "ਆਂ" (aan) are usually feminine, such as "ਕੁੜੀ" (kudi), which means girl.

Example conversation:

• ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੁੜੀ ਹੋ? (Kee tusi kudi ho?) - Are you a girl?
• ਜੀ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਇੱਕ ਕੁੜੀ ਹਾਂ। (Jee haa, main ik kudi haan.) - Yes, I am a girl.

Number of Nouns

We have already seen that in Panjabi, countable nouns can be singular or plural. Here's more detail:

• ਇਕ || Ik - One
• ਦੋ || Do - Two
• ਤਿੰਨ || Tinn - Three
• ਚਾਰ || Char - Four
• ਪੰਜ || Panj - Five
• ਛੇ || Chhe - Six
• ਸੱਤ || Satt - Seven
• ਅੱਠ || Att - Eight
• ਨੌਂ || Nau - Nine
• ਦਸ || Das - Ten

To make a noun plural, we add suffixes to the noun based on its ending.

Example:

Singular	Plural
ਨਲ	ਨਲਾਂ

In the example above, "ਨਲ" (nal) is masculine and singular, whereas "ਨਲਾਂ" (nalaan) is its plural form.

In general, masculine nouns that end with a consonant use "ਆਂ" (aan) suffix for the plural form. Feminine nouns that end with a consonant use "ਈਆਂ" (eeaan), and those that end with "ਆ" (aa) use "ਉਂ" (oon).

Example conversation:

• ਰਾਜਾਂ ਦਾ ਘਰ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ? (Rajaan da ghar kithhe hai?) - Where is the king's palace?
• ਰਾਜਾਂ ਦੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੈ। (Rajaan de ghar vich hai.) - It's inside the king's palace.

Cases of Nouns

Cases refer to the different forms a noun can take based on its function in a sentence. In Panjabi, there are ten cases for nouns.

Here are some examples:

Case	Purpose	Example
ਇਹ	Nominative	This is a book
ਉਸ	Accusative	He read that book
ਉਸਨ	Ergative	He gave me a gift
ਉਸ	Vocative	Girl, are you learning Hindi?

Example conversation:

• ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸਿੱਖਦੇ ਹੋ? (Kee tusi panjabi sikhde ho?) - Are you learning Panjabi?
• ਜੀ ਹਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਸਿੱਖਦੀ ਹਾਂ। (Jee haa, main panjabi sikhdi haan.) - Yes, I am learning Panjabi.

To improve your Panjabi Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Sources

• Panjabi language
• List of nouns by gender
• Declension