Colours in Punjabi and What They Mean in Culture
The main colour words in Punjabi, how they agree with nouns, and the cultural meanings of colours such as red and saffron.
Colour words are useful early vocabulary, and Punjabi has a few forms to learn.
The main colours
| Punjabi | Romanised | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ਲਾਲ | laal | red |
| ਨੀਲਾ | neelaa | blue |
| ਹਰਾ | haraa | green |
| ਪੀਲਾ | peelaa | yellow |
| ਕਾਲਾ | kaalaa | black |
| ਚਿੱਟਾ | chittaa | white |
| ਸੰਤਰੀ | santree | orange |
| ਗੁਲਾਬੀ | gulaabee | pink |
| ਭੂਰਾ | bhooraa | brown |
| ਸਲੇਟੀ | saletee | grey |
Agreement
Colours ending in -ਆ change with the noun:
| Noun | Form |
|---|---|
| masculine singular | ਨੀਲਾ ਕੁੜਤਾ — a blue kurta |
| feminine singular | ਨੀਲੀ ਚੁੰਨੀ — a blue scarf |
| masculine plural | ਨੀਲੇ ਕੁੜਤੇ — blue kurtas |
Colours such as ਲਾਲ and ਗੁਲਾਬੀ do not change:
- ਲਾਲ ਗੱਡੀ — a red car
- ਲਾਲ ਕੁੜਤਾ — a red kurta
Colours in life
- ਕੇਸਰੀ (saffron) is a colour strongly linked with Sikh tradition and is seen in turbans and the Nishan Sahib flag.
- ਲਾਲ is associated with weddings and celebrations.
- ਚਿੱਟਾ (white) is commonly worn at funerals and mourning.
- ਪੀਲਾ (yellow) is linked with the spring festival of Basant.
Useful phrases
- ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਮਨਪਸੰਦ ਰੰਗ ਕਿਹੜਾ ਹੈ? — What is your favourite colour?
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਹਰਾ ਰੰਗ ਪਸੰਦ ਹੈ। — I like green.
- ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ ਰੰਗ ਹੈ? — Is there another colour?
Tips
- Learn the ten basics.
- Remember -ਆ colours change.
- Use the dictionary for shades.
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