Punjabi is spoken by around 150 million people in Indian Punjab, Pakistani Punjab and large diasporas in Canada, the UK and the United States. With this kit, you have the bare minimum to get by in Amritsar, Lahore or Chandigarh.
Punjabi (Panjabi) is the language of around 150 million speakers, mainly split between Indian Punjab (31 million) and Pakistani Punjab (89 million), with significant diasporas in Canada, the UK, the US and Australia. It is an Indo-Aryan language known for a rare feature within the family: its three-level tonal system (low, neutral, high). This characteristic sets it apart from Hindi and Urdu. As for writing, Punjabi uses two scripts depending on the country: Gurmukhi (created by Guru Angad in the 16th century, derived from Brahmi) in India, and Shahmukhi (an Arabic-Persian variant) in Pakistan. For French-speaking travelers, Punjabi opens the door to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the colorful markets of Lahore and the roadside dhabas serving the best parathas in the region. Punjabi culture is famous for its warm hospitality, its bhangra and giddha dances, its rich wheat-and-dairy cuisine (sarson da saag, makki di roti, lassi). Matching your greeting to the community (Sat Sri Akal for Sikhs, As-salam alaikum for Muslims, Namaste ji for Hindus) is the first sign of respect. This kit gathers the bare essentials to handle an arrival in Amritsar or Lahore, a taxi ride, a gurdwara visit, a meal in a dhaba, a medical emergency and a smooth departure. With these phrases in hand, you will be warmly welcomed throughout Punjab.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land at Amritsar airport in the early evening. You greet the immigration officer with the appropriate hello, then ask for directions to the taxi exit.
The driver loads your suitcase and asks for your destination. You tell him your hotel, you want to confirm the price before leaving, then you ask him to stop right in front of the entrance.
You walk into a popular roadside dhaba. You greet, ask for the menu, specify that you are vegetarian and want it not too spicy, then settle the bill.
You feel sick after a meal. You ask where the nearest hospital is, you mention that you are allergic to certain foods and you ask for help.
On departure morning, you confirm check-out time at the reception, then take a taxi to the airport. Before leaving, you warmly say goodbye to the hotel team.
What you need to know before travelling to a punjabi-speaking country.
In Indian Punjab (Sikh majority), "Sat Sri Akal" works all day, morning to evening. In Pakistani Punjab (Muslim majority), prefer "As-salam alaikum". Matching the greeting to the community is an immediate sign of respect.
Before entering a gurdwara (Sikh temple) or a mosque, remove your shoes and cover your hair. At the Golden Temple in Amritsar, shoes are stored free of charge and a headscarf is provided at the entrance.
Adding "ji" at the end of a word or name (Shukriya ji, Papa ji) shows respect. This suffix is used with strangers, elders and anyone you want to show deference to.
The Golden Temple langar serves a free vegetarian meal to everyone, regardless of religion or background. Sit on the floor, accept food with both hands and do not refuse the rab (sweet syrup served at the end).
Eating is done with the right hand only, especially for bread (roti, naan, paratha). The left hand is considered impure in the context of meals.
Punjab is famous for its warm hospitality: if you are invited for tea (chai), refusing can seem cold. Accept at least one cup, even if you are not thirsty.
Touching the feet of elders (charan sparsh) is a traditional gesture of respect, especially within families. Foreign travelers are not expected to do it, but greeting an elder first is appreciated.
Avoid sensitive topics such as the 1947 Partition or communal tensions with strangers. Marriage, cricket and food, on the other hand, are universal conversation topics that open hearts.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Haan ji
haan jee
Yes
Nahin ji
na-HEEN jee
No
Shukriya
shu-kree-YA
Thank you
Koi gall nahin
KO-yee gull na-HEEN
You're welcome
Maaf karo ji
maaf ka-RO jee
Sorry
Paani
PAA-nee
Water
Khana
KHA-na
Food
Hotel
ho-TEL
Hotel
Hawai adda
ha-WAI UD-da
Airport
Hospital
HOS-pi-tal
Hospital
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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