Language/Panjabi/Grammar/Questions

Panjabi Grammar - Questions

Hi Panjabi learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to ask questions in Panjabi using the correct grammatical structures. We will also explore interesting cultural facts related to questioning in Panjabi language. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to construct questions and answers with ease. Let's get started!

Basic question structure

As in English, a basic question in Panjabi consists of three elements:

1. Question word, followed by: 2. Auxiliary verb or main verb, and after that: 3. The subject.

The sentence structure of a question is different from that of a declarative statement.

Here is an example:

• Statement: ਮੈਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (I speak Panjabi.)
• Question: ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹੋ? (Do you speak Panjabi?)

Let's take another example using an auxiliary verb:

• Statement: ਮੈਂ ਪਰੀਕਿਆ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (I am giving an exam.)
• Question: ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪਰੀਕਿਆ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ? (Are you giving the exam?)

In a question, the auxiliary verb comes before the subject, while in a statement it comes after the subject.

It is also important to note that, in Panjabi, many questions can be expressed just by intonation alone, without the need for any additional words. For example, a raising intonation at the end of a statement can be used to convey a question.

Question words

Question words are essential in constructing questions in Panjabi. Here are some of the most common ones:

Panjabi	Pronunciation	English
ਕੀ	ki	What
ਕਿਉਂ	kion	Why
ਕਿੰਨਾ	kinna	How much/many
ਕਿਹੜਾ	kihra	Which
ਕਿੱਥੇ	kithe	Where
ਕਿਹਾ	kiha	What did you say/How did it happen

It's important to note that the question word comes at the beginning of the sentence. It's possible to drop the question word and still form a question with the right tone.

Here's an example of how to use question words in a sentence:

• Person 1: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਗਾਣਾ ਪਸੰਦ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ? (Which Punjabi song do you like?)
• Person 2: ਮੈਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਸੁਣਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (I listen to many.)

Yes/No questions

In Panjabi, a yes/no question can be formed by using one of the following techniques:

1. Inverting word order: By putting the auxiliary verb before the subject, the sentence is transformed into a question.

Example:

• Statement: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਹਾਂਜੂਰ ਹੋ। (You are a teacher.)
• Question: ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਹਾਂਜੂਰ ਹੋ? (Are you a teacher?)

2. Add a question particle: By using the particle ਹੈਂ haiN at the end of the statement, we can transform the sentence into a question.

Example:

• Statement: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹੋ। (You speak Punjabi.)
• Question: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹੋ ਹੈਂ? (Do you speak Punjabi?)

Interrogative particles

In Panjabi, we use interrogative particles to indicate that we are asking a question. Here are some of the most common interrogative particles:

Panjabi	Pronunciation	English
ਹੈ	hai	Is it?
ਕੀ	ki	Is it?
ਨੀ	nee	Not so?
ਨਾਂ	naa	No?
ਉਂਨਾ	unna	So much?

Here is an example of how to use interrogative particles:

• Person 1: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਪੜ੍ਹਦੇ ਹੋ ਹੈ? (Do you read Punjabi?)
• Person 2: ਹਾਂ ਪੜ੍ਹਦਾ ਹਾਂ ਹੈ। (Yes, I read Punjabi.)

Cultural facts

In Panjabi culture, questioning is not always encouraged. Asking too many questions can be seen as intrusive or even impolite. Panjabi people can be very private about their personal lives, so it's important to be sensitive when asking questions. However, asking questions shows interest and is generally appreciated if done in moderation.

Examples in context

• Person 1: ਤੁਸੀਂ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਦਰਜਾ ਹੋ? (What is your relationship status in friendship?)
• Person 2: ਮੈਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੋਸਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਪਿਆਰ ਕਰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (I love all equally and don't prefer anyone in particular in my group of friends.)

• Person 1: ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪਰੀਕਿਆ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹੋ? (Are you giving the exam?)
• Person 2: ਹਾਂ ਮੈਂ ਪਰੀਕਿਆ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ। (Yes, I am giving the exam.)

Sources

• Panjabi language
• Panjabi grammar

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