Different Strokes (Panjabi)

Panjabi is an endearing language. We often hear non-Panjabi people praising Panjabi as a language and a culture. This post is about language. We will touch upon a few Panjabi expressions and their distinctly surprising meanings. Read on.

Everyone in the world knows what Sat Sri Akal means. A few days ago, a few Chinese men were spotted saying Sat Sri Akal to each other outside a Pizza Hut outlet. But there is more to Panjabi than Sat Sri Akal. Chal Jhootha, Ve, Ni, Bas Panj Mint, Mar Jana and Dafa hoja etc. Expressions that are not very common. Let's discuss them.

Chal Jhootha
There's a good chance that you have not seen Son of Sardar. But you must have seen its trailers where Sonakshi Sinha says, "Chal-Jhootha Chal-Jhootha" every second minute. The way she says it you can easily make out that it mean something good.

Jhootha literally means liar, but Chal Jhootha is an expression that conveys modesty, or that something is totally incredible, or that the girl is trying to sound cute.

Example:
Boy to girl: Dear, you are more beautiful than Aishwarya Rai.
Girl: Chal Jhootha!

Now, even if she completely believes that Aishwarya Rai is nothing compared to her, she says Chal Jhootha to sound modest. Moreover she wants the guy to continue praising her.

Chak de fatte!
Fatte (plural) literally means wooden planks. And Chak-de means - to lift. But every time someone says Chak De Phatte, you should not look around for laborers ready to pick up heavy wooden planks and throw them into a truck. Because Chak de phatte is an expression of encouragement. It tells you to do your best. To break a leg. Chak de fatte is an often used phrase in Panjabi (and Hindi) songs, to rev things up and excite the audiences.

Ve & Ni
Ve and Ni are used to call people (Ve for males and Ni for females) if they are standing at a distance.

Example:
If Manjit is standing far away, under a banyan tree and Harjit (his wife) is standing near the tube-well. She loudly says, "Ve, aidhar aa!" (Come here, Ve!)

And, Manjit replies with, "Auna ni!" (Coming, Ni!)

Although, Ve and Ni maybe consider slightly rude, it also means that a certain level of understanding exists between the two communicating persons.

Bas panj mint
Panj means five. Bas panj mint means, "Dude, just gimme five minutes." But usually these five minutes end up becoming an hour. Or even five hours. And all the Panjabis are proud of it.

Mar Jana
Mar means - to die. But when you call someone Mar Jana, you are not wishing them bad. Instead, it's a very endearing term used to address people you simply adore. Mara Jana for males, Mar Jani for females.

It's like calling someone a moron just because you love them too much.

Well, that would be all for today. Next post = Bas Panj Mint ch! If you happen to know any such Panjabi words, expressions, phrases or anything, feel free to share them in the comments section. We would love to discuss them with you.