Basic Words

1. ਹਾਂ

   haan

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. ਨਹੀਂ

   nahin

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ

   kirpa karke

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

4. ਧੰਨਵਾਦ

   dhannvaad

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. ਸੁਣੋ ਜੀ

   suno ji

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

   Grammar Note

   The final ਜੀ (ji) is a politeness marker. Adding it keeps the request soft with strangers.

6. ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ

   maaf karna

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

7. ਠੀਕ ਹੈ

   thik hai

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਇਆ

   mainu samajh nahin aaya

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. ਸਮਝ ਗਿਆ

   samajh gia

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says ਸਮਝ ਗਈ (samajh gai); perfective forms agree with the speaker's gender.

10. ਹੋ ਗਿਆ

    ho gia

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਉਡੀਕੋ

    kirpa karke udiko

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. ਇੱਕ ਮਿੰਟ

    ikk mint

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. ਇੱਕ ਬਾਲਗ, ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ

    ikk baalag, kirpa karke

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. ਮੈਂ ਬੁਕਿੰਗ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤੀ

    main booking nahin kiti

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. ਮੈਂ ਬੁਕਿੰਗ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ

    main booking kiti hai

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. ਮੇਰੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰੋ

    meri madad karo

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. ਇੱਕ ਵਾਰ ਫਿਰ ਕਹੋ

    ikk vaar phir kaho

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. ਹੌਲੀ ਬੋਲੋ ਜੀ

    hauli bolo ji

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. ਮੈਂ ਥੋੜ੍ਹਾ-ਥੋੜ੍ਹਾ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਹਾਂ

    main thorha-thorha bolda haan

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

20. ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀਂ ਅੰਗਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਹੋ?

    ki tusin angrezi bolde ho?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    Use ਤੁਸੀਂ (tusin) with strangers; ਤੂੰ (tun) is only for close friends and family.

21. ਇਹ

    ih

    This

    Usage

    Points at something near you; used of a person it means "this one / he / she"

22. ਉਹ

    uh

    That

    Usage

    Punjabi has only a two-way this/that distinction — it does not separate "that" from "that over there"

23. ਇੱਥੇ

    itthe

    Here

    Usage

    The place you are standing; also works for telling a driver where to drop you

24. ਉੱਥੇ

    utthe

    There

    Usage

    Anywhere away from you — Punjabi does not split "there" from "over there"

25. ਮੈਂ

    main

    I / me

    Usage

    Point at this to make clear you mean yourself and not the other person

26. ਤੁਸੀਂ

    tusin

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite "you" for strangers; "tun" is reserved for close friends and family

27. ਅਸੀਂ

    aseen

    We

    Usage

    Show when you are travelling as a group rather than alone

28. ਇਕੱਠੇ

    ikatthe

    Together

    Usage

    Seated together, travelling together, or paying as one — show for any of these

29. ਏਨਾ ਹੀ ਕਾਫ਼ੀ ਹੈ

    enaa hee kaafee hai

    That's enough

    Usage

    Show to stop someone refilling your plate or glass — a polite way to decline

30. ਹੁਣੇ

    hune

    Right now

    Usage

    Stresses immediacy; plain "now" is "hun" without the final vowel

31. ਇੱਕ ਜਣਾ

    ikk janaa

    One person

    Usage

    Give your party size at an eatery or ticket counter

32. ਦੋ ਜਣੇ

    do jane

    Two people

    Usage

    Give your party size at an eatery or ticket counter

33. ਤਿੰਨ ਜਣੇ

    tinn jane

    Three people

    Usage

    Give your party size at an eatery or ticket counter

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