Learn the Punjabi alphabet (Gurmukhi)
Punjabi is written in Gurmukhi, a phonetic script with 35 letters. Learn them here, then pair them with vowel signs to read real Punjabi words.
The Gurmukhi letters (Paintee Akhri)
The sounds below are English approximations - a teacher helps you get the pronunciation just right.
The three vowel carriers
Sa and Ha
Ka group
Cha group
Ta group (tongue curled back)
Ta group (tongue on teeth)
Pa group
The last five
Laga-matra: the vowel signs
Add these signs to a letter to change its vowel sound. Here they are with the letter ਕ (k).
Count from 1 to 10 in Punjabi
8 phrases to start with
ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ
Sat Sri Akal
Hello / greetings
ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ?
Tusi kiven ho?
How are you?
ਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਹਾਂ
Main theek haan
I am fine
ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਹੈ?
Tuhada naam ki hai?
What is your name?
ਮੇਰਾ ਨਾਮ … ਹੈ
Mera naam … hai
My name is …
ਧੰਨਵਾਦ
Dhanvaad
Thank you
ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ
Ji aayian nu
Welcome
ਫਿਰ ਮਿਲਾਂਗੇ
Fir milange
See you again
ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ!
Want to learn with a teacher?
Reading letters is just the start. In class you'll practise pronunciation, writing and real conversation.