Learn Punjabi through English - Expert Tips for English to Punjabi Speaking!

Published: Feb 05, 2025

7 mins read

Blog Cover for Bhasha's English to Punjabi language speaking tips

Punjabi is a language spoken by millions of people in India and Pakistan, and it's a great way to connect with the culture and people of these countries. If you're an English speaker looking to learn Punjabi, this guide is for you. We'll cover the basics of the language, including pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, and provide tips for how to practice and improve your skills.

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Are you planning to explore the vibrant cities of North India, get married into an Indian family, looking to connect with locals, join a multinational company in Delhi, or are simply fascinated by Bollywood movies and Indian culture? If English is your primary language, this comprehensive guide will show you how to learn the Hindustani language effectively and confidently. At Bhasha.io, we've helped thousands of learners learn Punjabi through English, and we're here to guide you through your Punjabi learning journey.

Before we move forward, here’s a quick reminder that you can learn Punjabi online with Bhasha.io, a top-rated language learning platform in India! Our courses help you save over 80% of the effort needed in your English to Punjabi learning journey.

Why Learn Punjabi Through English?

Learning Punjabi through English is the go-to option if English is your primary language or if you speak it fluently. Since English and Punjabi share Indo-European roots, certain grammatical concepts and vocabulary patterns are more relatable. Plus, most high-quality Punjabi learning resources are available in English, making it ideal for your English to Punjabi learning journey. Being proficient in English also helps you access online materials and connect better with a tutor or friend willing to teach you Punjabi. A tutor can guide you through the key differences between Punjabi and English grammar while providing the best English-to-Punjabi speaking tips to help you learn Punjabi faster.

Step 1: Basics of the Punjabi Language

Understanding Punjabi fundamentals is crucial for building a strong foundation. Let's start with the building blocks of the language.

Understanding Punjabi Script (Gurumukhi):

3 vowel symbols (ਅ ਆ ਈ etc.)
35 consonants (ਕ ਖ ਗ ਘ ਙ ਚ ਛ ਜ ਝ ਞ ਟ ਠ ਡ ਢ ਣ ਤ ਥ ਦ ਧ ਨ ਪ ਫ ਬ ਭ ਮ ਯ ਰ ਲ ਵ ਸ਼ ਸ ਹ ਲ਼ ਖ਼ ਗ਼ ਜ਼ ੜ ਱)
Special modifiers and diacritical marks
Written from left to right (→)

Tips for Learning the Punjabi Script:

Learn similar-shaped letters together
Practice stroke order consistently
Use Punjabi handwriting worksheets
Create letter-recognition flashcards

Step 2: Start with basic English to Punjabi speaking lessons

Once you are familiar with these basics, you should start learning some basic Punjabi words and phrases. You can get started by learning basic greetings, numbers, and other simple sentences.

Start building your Punjabi vocabulary with these fundamental categories:

1. Basic Punjabi Greetings

Hello/Goodbye - sat sri akaal
Good morning – shubh savera
How are you? - tusi kiven ho?
I'm fine - main theek haan
Thank you - dhanvaad
See you again - phir milange

2. Punjabi Numbers and Counting

One - ikk
Two - do
Three - tin
Four - chaar
Five - panj
Six - che
Seven - satt
Eight - ath
Nine - naun
Ten - das

3. Family Relations

Mother - maa
Father - peyo/baapu
Brother - veer
Sister - bahan
Paternal Grandfather - dada
Paternal Grandmother - dadi
Maternal Grandfather - nana
Maternal Grandmother - nani

4. Essential Punjabi Phrases

My name is ... - mera naa ... hai
What is your name? - tuhadda naa ki hai?
Have you eaten? - tusi khana khaada?
Need water - paani chahida
I didn't understand - mainu samajh nahi aayi

5. Time Words

Today - ajj
Tomorrow/Yesterday - kal
Morning – subah/savere
Afternoon - dupahar
Evening - shaam
Night - raat

6. Common Verbs

To go - jaana
To come - aana
To eat - khaana
To drink - peena
To speak - bolna
To listen - sun'na
To see/look - vekhna

7. Food and Dining

Common Foods:
- Flatbread - roti
- Lentils - dal
- Rice - chawal
- Vegetables - sabzi
- Tea - cha
Dining Phrases:
- I'm hungry - mainu bhukh lagi hai
- The food is very good - khaana bahut vadiya hai
- Would you like more? - hor chahida?
- That's enough - bas ho gaya

8. Common Punjabi Questions

Where are you going? - kithe ja rahe ho?
What are you doing? - ki kar rahe ho?
What time is it? - kinne vajje ne?
What is this? - eh ki hai?
Who is that? - oh kaun hai?

9. Weather and Seasons

Summer/Heat - garmi
Winter/Cold - thand
Rain - mihaan
Sunshine - dhoop
Wind - hava
Clouds - badal
Weather - mausam

10. Basic Punjabi Adjectives

Good - changa
Big - vadda
Small - chhota
New - nava
Old - purana
Beautiful - sohnaa
Hot - garam
Cold - thanda

11. Useful Number Phrases

How much? - kinne da?
One minute - ikk minute
Two hours - do ghante
Half - adha
Quarter - pauna
One and a half - dedh

12. Daily Activities

To sleep - sona
To wake up - uthna
To bathe - nahona
To work - kam karna
To study/read - padhna
To write - likhna
To play - khedna

Step 3: Building Punjabi Speaking Skills

Developing strong speaking skills is essential for Punjabi mastery. Here's how to practice effectively:

Speaking Practice Techniques:

Shadow Punjabi dialogue from movies
Record yourself speaking Punjabi daily
Practice with native speakers online
Join Punjabi language meetups
Use language exchange apps

Step 4: Reading and Writing Punjabi

Learning to read and write Punjabi is an important aspect of learning the language. At Bhasha.io, we offer a variety of resources that provide reading and writing exercises for Punjabi learners.

Here are some pointers to help you develop your Punjabi reading and writing skills:

Reading Progress Path:

Start with children's Punjabi storybooks
Progress to Punjabi newspapers
Read Punjabi magazines
Tackle Punjabi literature

Writing Development:

Practice Devanagari letter formation
Write simple Punjabi sentences
Maintain a Punjabi journal
Write Punjabi emails or messages

Step 5: Immerse yourself in the Punjabi language

Here’s a real secret behind learning any new language. You can accelerate your Punjabi learning and speaking speed by immersing yourself in a situation where you have to speak or listen to Punjabi. You can easily do this by watching and consuming Punjabi language media and entertainment.

Entertainment Options:

Watch Bollywood movies with subtitles
Listen to Punjabi music and podcasts
Follow Punjabi YouTube channels
Watch Punjabi news broadcasts

Digital Integration:

Set your phone to Punjabi
Use Punjabi keyboard
Join Punjabi learning groups
Follow Punjabi social media accounts

Common Challenges in Punjabi Learning

1. Script Mastery

Solution: Daily writing practice
Use mnemonics for letters
Practice with Punjabi typing tools

2. Gender Rules

Solution: Learn words with their gender
Create gender-based word lists
Practice with pattern recognition

3. Verb Conjugation

Solution: Start with common verbs
Practice one tense at a time
Use verb conjugation apps

Track Your Punjabi Progress

Set weekly learning goals
Use proficiency self-assessments
Create progress milestones
Keep a learning diary

Ready to Start Your English to Punjabi Learning Journey?

Like with any other learning, one can learn Punjabi with dedication and effort, but a step-by-step learning plan and expert English-to-Punjabi speaking tips will help you stay on track and learn the language effectively. While self-study is possible, structured guidance can significantly accelerate your progress. If you feel stuck at any stage, feel free to check out Bhasha’s online Punjabi language course, the best platform to learn Punjabi through English. Explore how our expert tutors can help you achieve Punjabi fluency efficiently and effectively.

We hope our Punjabi learning guide helps you kickstart your Punjabi language journey. Start your Punjabi learning journey today and discover the joy of connecting with millions of Punjabi speakers worldwide!