Punjabi greetings: how to say hello
Greetings are the first thing you'll use and the first thing relatives notice. Here's how to say hello, ask how someone is, reply politely, and say goodbye in Punjabi - with the Gurmukhi script, pronunciation, and when to use each one.
Saying hello
The everyday Sikh greeting is Sat Sri Akal, used both when you arrive and when you leave, usually with your palms pressed together. Punjab is religiously diverse, so you'll also hear Hindu and Muslim greetings depending on the person.
| Gurmukhi | Pronunciation | Meaning & use |
|---|---|---|
| ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ | Sat Sri Akal | "God is the ultimate truth." The standard Sikh greeting for hello and goodbye. |
| ਸਾਸਰੀਕਾਲ | Sasrikal | A relaxed, run-together version of Sat Sri Akal used casually. |
| ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਿਹ | Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh | "The Khalsa belongs to God; victory belongs to God." The full, formal Sikh salutation. |
| ਨਮਸਤੇ | Namaste | A respectful greeting used by Punjabi Hindus. |
| ਆਦਾਬ / ਸਲਾਮ | Adaab / Salaam | Greetings used by Punjabi Muslims, common in Pakistani Punjab. |
Asking "how are you?"
Punjabi distinguishes between polite (used with elders and strangers) and casual (used with friends and peers) speech. Use tusi forms to show respect.
| Gurmukhi | Pronunciation | Meaning & use |
|---|---|---|
| ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ? | Tusi kivein ho? | "How are you?" - polite, for elders and people you respect. |
| ਕੀ ਹਾਲ ਹੈ? | Ki haal hai? | "How's it going?" - neutral and very common. |
| ਕਿੱਦਾਂ? | Kiddan? | "What's up?" - casual, between friends. |
| ਸਭ ਠੀਕ? | Sabh theek? | "All good?" - quick, informal check-in. |
Replying
| Gurmukhi | Pronunciation | Meaning & use |
|---|---|---|
| ਠੀਕ ਹਾਂ | Theek haan | "I'm fine." |
| ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧੀਆ | Bahut vadhiya | "Very good / great." |
| ਰੱਬ ਦਾ ਸ਼ੁਕਰ ਹੈ | Rabb da shukar hai | "Thank God" - a common, warm reply. |
| ਤੇ ਤੁਸੀਂ? | Te tusi? | "And you?" - turn the question back politely. |
Courtesy & welcome
| Gurmukhi | Pronunciation | Meaning & use |
|---|---|---|
| ਜੀ ਆਇਆਂ ਨੂੰ | Ji aayan nu | "Welcome" - said warmly to guests. |
| ਮਿਹਰਬਾਨੀ | Meharbani | "Thank you." |
| ਧੰਨਵਾਦ | Dhanvaad | "Thank you" - slightly more formal. |
| ਪੈਰੀਂ ਪੈਣਾ | Pairi paina | A respectful greeting to elders, traditionally touching their feet. |
Saying goodbye
| Gurmukhi | Pronunciation | Meaning & use |
|---|---|---|
| ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ | Sat Sri Akal | Also used to say goodbye, not just hello. |
| ਰੱਬ ਰਾਖਾ | Rabb rakha | "May God protect you" - a caring farewell. |
| ਫਿਰ ਮਿਲਾਂਗੇ | Phir milange | "We'll meet again" - "see you later". |
| ਅਲਵਿਦਾ | Alvida | "Farewell" - formal goodbye. |
A few tips
- Match the person. Use tusi (polite) forms with elders and anyone you'd address respectfully; tu (casual) is for close friends and children.
- Greet elders first. In Punjabi families, greeting the eldest present first - often with pairi paina - shows good manners.
- Learn the script. Reading these greetings in Gurmukhi rather than English letters will fix the pronunciation properly in your memory.
Keep going
Greetings are step one. Continue with our phrasebook for full sentences, build your vocabulary, and learn family terms so you can address every relative correctly. New to all of this? Follow the Start Here roadmap.
Now build real sentences
You can say hello - next, learn the phrases that turn greetings into conversations.