Children do not need a long vocabulary list before they can start using Punjabi. They need small, predictable phrases connected to moments that happen every day: waking up, eating, getting ready, playing, asking for help, and saying good night.
The goal is not to test the child. It is to make Punjabi feel like a normal language of connection. Use one or two phrases repeatedly for a week, respond warmly to any attempt, and avoid interrupting every sentence with corrections.
20 Punjabi phrases for children
| English | Roman Punjabi | Pronunciation | Gurmukhi | Shahmukhi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good morning | Sat Sri Akal / Assalam-o-Alaikum | sut sree uh-kaal / uh-saa-laam o uh-lai-kum | ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ | السلام علیکم |
| How are you? | Tusi kiven o? | too-see | kee-vayn | o | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਓ? | تُسیں کِیویں او؟ |
| I am fine | Main theek aan | main | theek | aan | ਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਆਂ | میں ٹھیک آں |
| Come here | Ethe aao | ay-thay | aa-o | ਇੱਥੇ ਆਓ | ایتھے آؤ |
| Sit down | Baith jao | baith | jaa-o | ਬੈਠ ਜਾਓ | بیٹھ جاؤ |
| Let’s eat | Aao roti khaiye | aa-o | ro-tee | khaa-ee-ay | ਆਓ ਰੋਟੀ ਖਾਈਏ | آؤ روٹی کھائیے |
| Drink water | Paani pee lo | paa-nee | pee | lo | ਪਾਣੀ ਪੀ ਲਓ | پانی پی لو |
| Are you hungry? | Tuhanu bhukh laggi ae? | too-haa-noo | bhukh | lug-gee | ae | ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਭੁੱਖ ਲੱਗੀ ਐ? | تُہانوں بھُکھ لگی اے؟ |
| I am hungry | Mainu bhukh laggi ae | main-noo | bhukh | lug-gee | ae | ਮੈਨੂੰ ਭੁੱਖ ਲੱਗੀ ਐ | مینوں بھُکھ لگی اے |
| What do you want? | Tusi ki chahunde o? | too-see | kee | chaa-hun-day | o | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਓ? | تُسیں کی چاہُندے او؟ |
| I want this | Mainu eh chahida ae | main-noo | eh | chaa-hee-daa | ae | ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਐ | مینوں ایہہ چاہیدا اے |
| Please help me | Meri madad karo ji | may-ree | muh-dud | ku-ro | jee | ਮੇਰੀ ਮਦਦ ਕਰੋ ਜੀ | میری مدد کرو جی |
| Listen to me | Meri gall suno | may-ree | gull | soo-no | ਮੇਰੀ ਗੱਲ ਸੁਣੋ | میری گل سُنو |
| Look here | Ethe vekho | ay-thay | vay-kho | ਇੱਥੇ ਵੇਖੋ | ایتھے ویکھو |
| Very good | Bohat vadhiya | bo-hut | vud-ee-aa | ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ | بہت ودھیا |
| Well done | Shabash! | shaa-baash | ਸ਼ਾਬਾਸ਼! | شاباش! |
| No problem | Koi gall nahi | koyee | gull | nuh-hee | ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ | کوئی گل نہیں |
| Let’s play | Aao kheddiye | aa-o | khay-dee-ay | ਆਓ ਖੇਡੀਏ | آؤ کھیڈیے |
| Are you tired? | Tusi thakk gaye o? | too-see | thuk | gu-yay | o | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਥੱਕ ਗਏ ਓ? | تُسیں تھک گئے او؟ |
| Good night | Changi raat / Allah Hafiz | chun-gee | raat / ul-laah | haa-fiz | ਚੰਗੀ ਰਾਤ | اللہ حافظ |
How to teach Punjabi without making it feel like homework
Repeat phrases in context
Use “paani pee lo” at the table and “aao kheddiye” before play. Context helps meaning stick.
Two phrases per week
Children need repeated success more than a large weekly vocabulary target.
Let the sentence grow
If a child says half the sentence in English, model the Punjabi version warmly instead of rejecting the attempt.
Confidence comes first
Use “shabash” and “bohat vadhiya” whenever the child tries to respond.
A simple family conversation routine
Child: Main theek aan.
Parent: Tuhanu bhukh laggi ae?
Child: Haan ji. Mainu bhukh laggi ae.
Parent: Aao roti khaiye.
Child: Theek ae!
Should parents correct every mistake?
No. Too much correction can make a child avoid Punjabi. Correct one important pattern at a time. If the child says “main bhukh,” respond naturally with “haan, mainu bhukh laggi ae” so they hear the full sentence without feeling tested.
What if parents understand Punjabi but do not speak confidently?
Start with the same short routine as the child. Parents do not need perfect grammar to create useful exposure. A tutor can help the family choose accurate phrases, practice pronunciation, and build a routine that matches Pakistani Punjabi, Potohari, or another home variety.
Pakistani Punjabi and Potohari families
Use the forms your family actually says. Pakistani Punjabi households may use ae, aan, and naa. Potohari-speaking families may use different pronouns, verb endings, and everyday words. Regional differences are part of the language, not a problem to erase.