Language/Panjabi/Grammar/Asking-Questions
| ◀️ Accommodation and Reservations — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Negation ▶️ |
Asking questions is a vital part of communication. It allows us to gain information, clarify doubts, and engage in meaningful conversations. In the Panjabi language, forming questions can be quite straightforward once you understand the basics. This lesson will guide you through the essential question words and sentence structures you need to ask questions effectively in Panjabi.
In this lesson, we will cover:
- The importance of asking questions in daily conversations.
- Key question words: who, what, where, when, why, and how.
- Sentence structure for forming questions.
- Practical examples and exercises to reinforce your learning.
Importance of Asking Questions
Asking questions is fundamental to learning and engaging with others. In Panjabi, as in any language, questions help us express curiosity and seek clarification. Whether you are asking for directions, inquiring about someone's name, or learning about cultural practices, knowing how to ask questions properly can open doors to deeper understanding and connection.
Key Question Words
In Panjabi, just like in English, specific words are used to ask questions. Here are the primary question words you'll be using:
Who (ਕੌਣ)
"Who" is used to identify a person or people. In Panjabi, it translates to ਕੌਣ (kāuṇ).
What (ਕੀ)
"What" is used to ask for information about something. In Panjabi, it translates to ਕੀ (kī).
Where (ਕਿੱਥੇ)
"Where" is used to inquire about a place. In Panjabi, it translates to ਕਿੱਥੇ (kithē).
When (ਕਦੋਂ)
"When" is used to ask about time. In Panjabi, it translates to ਕਦੋਂ (kadōn).
Why (ਕਿਉਂ)
"Why" is used to ask for reasons. In Panjabi, it translates to ਕਿਉਂ (kiuṅ).
How (ਕਿਵੇਂ)
"How" is used to inquire about the manner in which something is done. In Panjabi, it translates to ਕਿਵੇਂ (kivēṅ).
Sentence Structure for Forming Questions
Forming questions in Panjabi typically follows a straightforward structure. While the basic sentence order is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV), the question words often precede the subject to form a question.
Here's a simple breakdown of how to structure your questions:
- Start with the question word.
- Follow with the subject.
- Then, include the object (if applicable).
- Finally, use the verb.
Examples of Questions
Let’s look at some examples to illustrate how to ask questions using the words we've discussed. Below, you'll find a variety of questions along with their pronunciations and English translations.
| Panjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ਕੌਣ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ? | kāuṇ ā rihā hai? | Who is coming? |
| ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਕੂਲ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ? | kī tusīṁ sakūl jā rahē hō? | What are you doing at school? |
| ਕਿੱਥੇ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ? | kithē jā rahē hō? | Where are you going? |
| ਕਦੋਂ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ? | kadōn karāngē? | When will we do it? |
| ਕਿਉਂ ਰੋ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ? | kiuṅ rō rahē hō? | Why are you crying? |
| ਕਿਵੇਂ ਜਾਵਾਂ? | kivēṅ jāvāṅ? | How should I go? |
| ਕੌਣ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਦੋਸਤ ਹੈ? | kāuṇ tuhāḍā dōsat hai? | Who is your friend? |
| ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ? | kī tuhānū chāhīdā hai? | What do you need? |
| ਕਿੱਥੇ ਬਾਜ਼ਾਰ ਹੈ? | kithē bāzār hai? | Where is the market? |
| ਕਦੋਂ ਮਿਲਾਂਗੇ? | kadōn milāṅgē? | When will we meet? |
| ਕਿਉਂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਹੱਸ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ? | kiuṅ tusīṁ hass rahē hō? | Why are you laughing? |
| ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ? | kivēṅ hō? | How are you? |
| ਕੌਣ ਸਿਖਾ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ? | kāuṇ sikhā rahī hai? | Who is teaching? |
| ਕੀ ਇਹ ਚੰਗਾ ਹੈ? | kī ih changā hai? | Is this good? |
| ਕਿੱਥੇ ਜੀਵਨ ਹੈ? | kithē jīvan hai? | Where is life? |
| ਕਦੋਂ ਦੱਸਣਾ ਹੈ? | kadōn dassaṇā hai? | When should I tell? |
| ਕਿਉਂ ਇਹ ਸੱਚ ਹੈ? | kiuṅ ih sach hai? | Why is this true? |
| ਕਿਵੇਂ ਲਿਖਣਾ ਹੈ? | kivēṅ likhaṇā hai? | How should I write? |
Exercises for Practice
To solidify your understanding of asking questions in Panjabi, here are some exercises for you to complete. Each exercise will test your knowledge of question words and structures.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences with the appropriate question word from the list: ਕੌਣ, ਕੀ, ਕਿੱਥੇ, ਕਦੋਂ, ਕਿਉਂ, ਕਿਵੇਂ.
1. ________ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਪੜ੍ਹ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ?
2. ________ ਇਹ ਚੀਜ਼ ਹੈ?
3. ________ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਜਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹੋ?
4. ________ ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਾਂਗਾ?
5. ________ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਹੱਸ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ?
6. ________ ਇਹ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੈ?
Answers:
1. ਕੌਣ (Who are you studying with?)
2. ਕੀ (What is this thing?)
3. ਕਿੱਥੇ (Where do you want to go?)
4. ਕਦੋਂ (When will I meet you?)
5. ਕਿਉਂ (Why are you laughing?)
6. ਕਿਵੇਂ (How is this work done?)
Exercise 2: Translate the Questions
Translate the following English questions into Panjabi.
1. Who is your teacher?
2. What do you want?
3. Where is your home?
4. When is the festival?
5. Why are you late?
6. How do you feel?
Answers:
1. ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਅਧਿਆਪਕ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ?
2. ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹੋ?
3. ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਘਰ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈ?
4. ਤਿਉਹਾਰ ਕਦੋਂ ਹੈ?
5. ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਉਂ ਦੇਰ ਹੋ?
6. ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਮਹਿਸੂਸ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ?
Exercise 3: Create Your Own Questions
Using the question words provided, create your own questions in Panjabi. Use the words: ਕੌਣ, ਕੀ, ਕਿੱਥੇ, ਕਦੋਂ, ਕਿਉਂ, ਕਿਵੇਂ.
Sample Answers:
1. ਕੌਣ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਆਇਆ?
2. ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਕਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹੋ?
3. ਕਿੱਥੇ ਅਸੀਂ ਭੇਟ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ?
4. ਕਦੋਂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਛੁੱਟੀਆਂ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹੋ?
5. ਕਿਉਂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ?
6. ਕਿਵੇਂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਇਹ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋ?
= Exercise 4: Match the Questions
Match the English questions with their Panjabi translations.
1. Who is she?
2. What is this?
3. Where are you?
4. When do we eat?
5. Why did you come?
6. How can I help?
A. ਕਦੋਂ ਅਸੀਂ ਖਾਂਦੇ ਹਾਂ?
B. ਕਿਉਂ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਆਏ?
C. ਕਿੱਥੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਹੋ?
D. ਕੀ ਇਹ ਹੈ?
E. ਕੌਣ ਉਹ ਹੈ?
F. ਮੈਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਾਂ?
Answers:
1 - E, 2 - D, 3 - C, 4 - A, 5 - B, 6 - F
Exercise 5: Question Formation
Rearrange the following words to form correct questions in Panjabi.
1. ਕੌਣ / ਹੈ / ਤੇਰਾ / ਦੋਸਤ /?
2. ਕੀ / ਤੂੰ / ਜਾਣਾ / ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ / ਹੈ?
3. ਕਿੱਥੇ / ਗਏ / ਉਹ /?
4. ਕਦੋਂ / ਕਰਾਂਗੇ / ਅਸੀਂ / ਇਸ ਨੂੰ /?
5. ਕਿਉਂ / ਹੈ / ਇਹ / ਮਸਲਾ /?
Answers:
1. ਤੇਰਾ ਦੋਸਤ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ? (Who is your friend?)
2. ਤੂੰ ਜਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਕੀ ਹੈ? (What do you want to do?)
3. ਉਹ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਗਏ? (Where did they go?)
4. ਅਸੀਂ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਦੋਂ ਕਰਾਂਗੇ? (When will we do this?)
5. ਇਹ ਮਸਲਾ ਕਿਉਂ ਹੈ? (Why is this an issue?)
Conclusion
By mastering the art of asking questions in Panjabi, you are equipping yourself with the tools to engage in deeper conversations and understand the culture around you. The ability to seek information, clarify doubts, and express curiosity will greatly enhance your language skills and confidence when speaking Panjabi.
As you progress through the rest of this course, keep practicing these questions, and don't hesitate to ask your own! Remember, every question is a step toward greater understanding.
Other Lessons
- Nouns
- Likes and Dislikes
- Nouns and Pronouns
- 0 to A1 Course
- Gurmukhi Alphabet
- Conditional Mood
- Conjunctions
- Give your Opinion
- Emotions and Feelings
| ◀️ Accommodation and Reservations — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Negation ▶️ |