Sikh Prayer and Gurdwara Words Explained: Ardas, Kirtan, Shabad, Hukamnama, Nitnem and 60 More
Ardas is the standing prayer, kirtan is sung scripture, a shabad is a hymn, the Hukamnama is the day's reading, nitnem the daily prayers, Waheguru the name of God. Over sixty words you'll hear at a gurdwara, in Sikh prayers and in Sikh families, with Gurmukhi, pronunciation and plain meanings, for partners, diaspora kids and anyone who wants to follow what's being said.
Sit in a gurdwara for an hour and you'll hear a vocabulary all its own: Ardas (ਅਰਦਾਸ, the standing prayer), kirtan (ਕੀਰਤਨ, sung scripture), shabad (ਸ਼ਬਦ, a hymn), Hukamnama (ਹੁਕਮਨਾਮਾ, the day's reading), nitnem (ਨਿਤਨੇਮ, the daily prayers), Waheguru (ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ, the name of God), sangat, sewa, langar. Most diaspora kids absorb the sounds without ever being told the meanings, and partners from outside the faith are too polite to ask. This is the glossary: more than sixty words grouped by where you'll meet them, with Gurmukhi, pronunciation and a plain-English meaning for each.
God, the Gurus and the Scripture
| Word | Gurmukhi | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waheguru | ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ | VAA-heh-gu-roo | "Wondrous Enlightener" — the Sikh name for God. Also said on its own as a sigh, a thanks or a farewell |
| Satnam | ਸਤਿਨਾਮ | sat-NAAM | "True Name"; Satnam Waheguru is the most common phrase of devotion |
| Ik Onkar | ੴ | ik oan-KAAR | "One God" — the first word of the scripture and the Sikh symbol; see the Mool Mantar word by word |
| Akaal Purakh | ਅਕਾਲ ਪੁਰਖ | a-KAAL PU-rukh | The Timeless Being — God |
| Guru | ਗੁਰੂ | gu-ROO | The enlightener — the ten Gurus from Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh, and now the scripture itself |
| Guru Granth Sahib | ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ | gu-ROO grunth SAA-hib | The Sikh scripture, honoured as the living, eternal Guru |
| Gurbani / Bani | ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ / ਬਾਣੀ | gur-BAA-nee | The Gurus' words — the text of the scripture |
| Shabad | ਸ਼ਬਦ | SHUB-ud | A hymn (literally "word"); the unit kirtan is built from |
| Ang | ਅੰਗ | ung | A page of the Guru Granth Sahib — called a "limb", never a page, out of respect |
| Raag | ਰਾਗ | raag | The musical mode a shabad is set in; the scripture is arranged in 31 raags |
| Bhagat | ਭਗਤ | BHUG-ut | A devotee; the saints whose hymns are included in the scripture (Kabir, Ravidas, Farid and others) |
| Mool Mantar | ਮੂਲ ਮੰਤਰ | mool MUN-tur | The root verse that opens the scripture |
| Rahao | ਰਹਾਉ | ra-HAAO | "Pause" — marks the central line of a shabad, the one that holds its meaning |
The Daily Prayers
| Word | Gurmukhi | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitnem | ਨਿਤਨੇਮ | nit-NAYM | "Daily discipline" — the set prayers a Sikh reads each day |
| Japji Sahib | ਜਪੁਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ | JUP-jee SAA-hib | Guru Nanak's morning composition; the first in the scripture |
| Jaap Sahib, Tav-Prasad Savaiye, Chaupai Sahib | ਜਾਪੁ ਸਾਹਿਬ, ਤ੍ਵ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ਸਵੱਯੇ, ਚੌਪਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ | — | Compositions of Guru Gobind Singh in the morning and evening nitnem |
| Anand Sahib | ਅਨੰਦ ਸਾਹਿਬ | a-NUND SAA-hib | "Song of Bliss" by Guru Amar Das; sung at the end of every service and at weddings |
| Rehras Sahib | ਰਹਿਰਾਸ ਸਾਹਿਬ | reh-RAAS | The evening prayer |
| Kirtan Sohila | ਕੀਰਤਨ ਸੋਹਿਲਾ | KEER-tun SO-hi-laa | The bedtime prayer; also read at cremations |
| Sukhmani Sahib | ਸੁਖਮਨੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ | sukh-MUN-ee | "Jewel of Peace" by Guru Arjan; read for comfort, often in times of illness or grief |
| Amrit Vela | ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲਾ | um-rit VAY-laa | The ambrosial pre-dawn hour, the traditional time for prayer |
| Simran | ਸਿਮਰਨ | SIM-run | Meditative remembrance — repeating Waheguru |
| Naam japna | ਨਾਮ ਜਪਣਾ | naam JUP-naa | To recite and remember God's name — one of Guru Nanak's three pillars |
| Paath | ਪਾਠ | paath | A reading of scripture |
| Gutka / Pothi | ਗੁਟਕਾ / ਪੋਥੀ | GUT-kaa / PO-thee | A small prayer book / a larger volume of scripture |
In the Gurdwara Service
| Word | Gurmukhi | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ardas | ਅਰਦਾਸ | ur-DAAS | The standing congregational prayer — a petition for the community and the world; everyone stands with hands folded |
| Sarbat da bhala | ਸਰਬੱਤ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ | sur-BUTT daa BHUL-aa | "The good of all" — the wish Ardas ends with: Nanak naam chardi kala, tere bhane sarbat da bhala |
| Kirtan | ਕੀਰਤਨ | KEER-tun | Devotional singing of shabads with harmonium and tabla |
| Ragi / Jatha | ਰਾਗੀ / ਜਥਾ | RAA-gee / JUTH-aa | The kirtan singers / their group (a ragi jatha) |
| Katha | ਕਥਾ | ka-THAA | A spoken discourse explaining the scripture |
| Giani | ਗਿਆਨੀ | gi-AA-nee | A learned reader or preacher |
| Granthi | ਗ੍ਰੰਥੀ | GRUN-thee | The custodian and reader of the Guru Granth Sahib |
| Hukamnama / Vaak | ਹੁਕਮਨਾਮਾ / ਵਾਕ | hu-kum-NAA-maa | "Royal order" — the shabad read when the scripture is opened at random; taken as the day's guidance |
| Prakash / Sukhasan | ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ / ਸੁਖਆਸਨ | pra-KAASH / sukh-AA-sun | Opening the scripture in the morning / laying it to rest at night |
| Palki / Manji Sahib | ਪਾਲਕੀ / ਮੰਜੀ ਸਾਹਿਬ | PAAL-kee / MUN-jee | The canopy and the raised seat the scripture rests on |
| Chaur Sahib | ਚੌਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ | chaur SAA-hib | The whisk waved over the scripture |
| Rumala | ਰੁਮਾਲਾ | ru-MAA-laa | The cloth covering the scripture; families donate them |
| Jaikara | ਜੈਕਾਰਾ | jai-KAA-raa | The call and response: Jo Bole So Nihal! — Sat Sri Akaal! |
| Sangat / Sadh Sangat | ਸੰਗਤ / ਸਾਧ ਸੰਗਤ | SUN-gut | The congregation / "holy congregation", how speakers address the hall |
| Matha tekna | ਮੱਥਾ ਟੇਕਣਾ | MUT-thaa TAYK-naa | To bow with the forehead to the floor |
| Karah Prasad / Deg | ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ / ਦੇਗ | ka-RAAH pra-SAAD | The warm sweet offering given to everyone at the end |
| Langar / Pangat | ਲੰਗਰ / ਪੰਗਤ | LUN-gur / PUN-gut | The free community kitchen / the rows everyone sits in to eat |
| Sewa / Sewadar | ਸੇਵਾ / ਸੇਵਾਦਾਰ | SAY-vaa | Selfless service / a volunteer |
| Golak / Dasvandh | ਗੋਲਕ / ਦਸਵੰਧ | GO-luk / dus-VUNDH | The donation box / the practice of giving a tenth of one's earnings |
| Nishan Sahib | ਨਿਸ਼ਾਨ ਸਾਹਿਬ | ni-SHAAN SAA-hib | The saffron or blue flag outside every gurdwara, bearing the Khanda |
| Harmandir Sahib / Darbar Sahib | ਹਰਿਮੰਦਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ / ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ | har-MUN-dir | The Golden Temple in Amritsar; Darbar Sahib also means any main prayer hall |
If you're going for the first time, our gurdwara first-visit guide walks through what to do with all of this.
Ceremonies and Occasions
| Word | Gurmukhi | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akhand Path | ਅਖੰਡ ਪਾਠ | a-KHUND paath | A continuous 48-hour reading of the whole scripture, for festivals, weddings, births and anniversaries |
| Sehaj Path | ਸਹਿਜ ਪਾਠ | SEH-uj paath | A complete reading done at one's own pace over weeks or months |
| Bhog | ਭੋਗ | bhog | The conclusion of a reading, and the ceremony marking it — including the one held after a death |
| Antim Ardas | ਅੰਤਿਮ ਅਰਦਾਸ | UN-tim ur-DAAS | The final prayer for someone who has died |
| Anand Karaj | ਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ | a-NUND KAA-ruj | The Sikh wedding ceremony — see Punjabi wedding traditions |
| Naam Karan | ਨਾਮ ਕਰਨ | naam KUR-un | The naming ceremony: a Hukamnama is read and the baby's name begins with its first letter |
| Amrit Sanchar | ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੰਚਾਰ | um-rit sun-CHAAR | The initiation ceremony into the Khalsa |
| Dastaar Bandi | ਦਸਤਾਰ ਬੰਦੀ | dus-TAAR BUN-dee | A boy's first-turban ceremony |
| Gurpurab | ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ | gur-PURB | A Guru's anniversary — see Guru Nanak Gurpurab |
| Nagar Kirtan | ਨਗਰ ਕੀਰਤਨ | NUG-ur KEER-tun | A street procession with the scripture on a float |
| Gatka | ਗਤਕਾ | GUT-kaa | The Sikh martial art displayed at processions |
| Rainsabai | ਰੈਣਸਬਾਈ | rain-sa-BAA-ee | An all-night kirtan |
| Sangrand | ਸੰਗਰਾਂਦ | sun-GRAAND | The first day of each solar month, marked at the gurdwara |
| Chhabeel | ਛਬੀਲ | chha-BEEL | A free stall of sweet, cold drink set up in June to remember Guru Arjan's martyrdom |
The Khalsa and Sikh Identity
| Word | Gurmukhi | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khalsa | ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ | KHAAL-saa | The community of initiated Sikhs, founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 |
| Panth | ਪੰਥ | punth | "The path" — the Sikh community as a whole |
| Panj Pyare | ਪੰਜ ਪਿਆਰੇ | punj pi-AA-ray | "The five beloved ones" who lead ceremonies and processions |
| Amritdhari / Kesdhari / Sehajdhari | ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਧਾਰੀ / ਕੇਸਧਾਰੀ / ਸਹਿਜਧਾਰੀ | — | An initiated Sikh / one who keeps uncut hair / one on the gradual path, not initiated |
| The five Ks | ਕੇਸ, ਕੰਘਾ, ਕੜਾ, ਕਛਹਿਰਾ, ਕਿਰਪਾਨ | kesh, KUN-ghaa, KA-daa, kuch-HAI-raa, kir-PAAN | Uncut hair, comb, steel bracelet, cotton undergarment, small sword |
| Dastaar | ਦਸਤਾਰ | dus-TAAR | The turban (respectful word; everyday word pagg) |
| Singh / Kaur | ਸਿੰਘ / ਕੌਰ | singh / kaur | Lion / princess — the names every Sikh carries; see Singh and Kaur meaning |
| Bhai Sahib / Bibi ji | ਭਾਈ ਸਾਹਿਬ / ਬੀਬੀ ਜੀ | bhaa-ee SAA-hib | Respectful address for a Sikh man (also a granthi) / a woman |
| Takht / Jathedar | ਤਖ਼ਤ / ਜਥੇਦਾਰ | tukht / ja-thay-DAAR | One of the five seats of Sikh authority (Akal Takht in Amritsar is the first) / its head |
| Chardi Kala | ਚੜ੍ਹਦੀ ਕਲਾ | CHUDH-dee ka-LAA | "Ever-rising spirits" — optimism in all circumstances |
| Deg Teg Fateh | ਦੇਗ ਤੇਗ ਫ਼ਤਿਹ | dayg tayg fa-TEH | "Victory to the kettle and the sword" — the Khalsa motto: feed and protect |
| Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh | ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖ਼ਾਲਸਾ, ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫ਼ਤਿਹ | — | "The Khalsa belongs to God; victory belongs to God" — the formal Sikh greeting |
| Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akaal | ਬੋਲੇ ਸੋ ਨਿਹਾਲ, ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ | — | "Whoever says it is blessed: Truth is the Timeless One" — the jaikara |
Two phrases do most of the work in daily life: Waheguru, which Sikhs say the way others say "thank God" or "oh dear", and Chardi kala, the answer to any setback. For how the religion relates to the language and region, see Punjabi vs Sikh; for reading the scripture itself, how to start reading Gurbani.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ardas?
Ardas (ਅਰਦਾਸ) is the Sikh congregational prayer, said standing with folded hands at the end of every service and before any undertaking. It recalls the Gurus, asks for the community's needs, and ends with a wish for the well-being of all: sarbat da bhala.
What is kirtan?
Kirtan (ਕੀਰਤਨ) is the singing of shabads — hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib — to harmonium and tabla, in the raag (musical mode) the hymn was written in. It is the heart of a gurdwara service.
What is the Hukamnama?
The Hukamnama (ਹੁਕਮਨਾਮਾ, "royal order") is the shabad read aloud when the Guru Granth Sahib is opened at random each morning, taken as the day's guidance. The one read at the Golden Temple is published daily; babies are named from the first letter of a Hukamnama.
What does Satnam Waheguru mean?
Satnam means "True Name" and Waheguru "Wondrous Enlightener" — together, roughly, "the True Name is the Wondrous Lord". It is the phrase Sikhs repeat in meditation and say in gratitude or awe.
Understand the Words You Grew Up Hearing
Knowing what kirtan, Ardas and Hukamnama mean is the first step; reading the Gurmukhi they're written in is the second. Alfaazo teaches the Gurmukhi script letter by letter with stroke-by-stroke writing guides and native audio, alongside everyday Punjabi, in bite-sized lessons you can finish in five minutes a day. Free on iOS and Android.
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