Congratulations on a New Baby in Punjabi: Wishes for a Newborn, Blessings, Baby Words and the First Lohri
Congratulations on a new baby in Punjabi is Nave mehmaan diyan lakh lakh vadhaaiyan (ਨਵੇਂ ਮਹਿਮਾਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ, congratulations on the new guest) or simply Vadhaaiyan ji, followed by the blessing Rabb bachche nu lammi umar deve. Twenty wishes for the baby, the parents and the new grandparents, with Gurmukhi and pronunciation, the baby words (kaka, kaki, pota, dohti), what to say when you meet the baby, and what happens next: naam karan, sweets, chhuchhak and the first Lohri.
A new baby in a Punjabi family is announced as a nava mehmaan (ਨਵਾਂ ਮਹਿਮਾਨ) — "a new guest" — so the congratulation is Nave mehmaan diyan lakh lakh vadhaaiyan (ਨਵੇਂ ਮਹਿਮਾਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ), or simply Vadhaaiyan ji!, and it is always followed by a blessing for the child: Rabb bachche nu lammi umar deve (ਰੱਬ ਬੱਚੇ ਨੂੰ ਲੰਮੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇਵੇ, "may God give the child a long life"). Here are the wishes for the baby, the parents and the brand-new dada-dadi and nana-nani, the questions you'll be asked within thirty seconds, the baby words, and what happens in the weeks that follow — the naming at the gurdwara, the sweets, the gifts from the maternal grandparents, and the first Lohri.
Congratulations on the Baby
| English | Punjabi | Gurmukhi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congratulations! | Vadhaaiyan ji! | ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਜੀ! | vuh-DHAA-ee-aan jee |
| Congratulations on the new arrival ("new guest") | Nave mehmaan diyan lakh lakh vadhaaiyan | ਨਵੇਂ ਮਹਿਮਾਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ | na-VAYN meh-MAAN dee-AAN lukh lukh vuh-DHAA-ee-aan |
| Congratulations on the birth of a son / daughter | Bete / beti de janam diyan vadhaaiyan | ਬੇਟੇ / ਬੇਟੀ ਦੇ ਜਨਮ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ | BAY-tay / BAY-tee day JUN-um dee-AAN … |
| Joy has come to your home | Tuhade ghar khushiyan aaiyan | ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਘਰ ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਆਈਆਂ | tu-HAA-day ghur KHU-shee-aan AA-ee-aan |
| May God give the child a long life | Rabb bachche nu lammi umar deve | ਰੱਬ ਬੱਚੇ ਨੂੰ ਲੰਮੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇਵੇ | rubb BUCH-chay noo LUM-mee UM-ur DAY-vay |
| May God give the child health | Rabb bachche nu sehat te tandrusti deve | ਰੱਬ ਬੱਚੇ ਨੂੰ ਸਿਹਤ ਤੇ ਤੰਦਰੁਸਤੀ ਦੇਵੇ | … SEH-ut tay tun-dur-US-tee DAY-vay |
| May he / she live long | Jeonda rahe / jeondi rahe | ਜਿਉਂਦਾ ਰਹੇ / ਜਿਉਂਦੀ ਰਹੇ | JEE-on-daa ra-HAY / JEE-on-dee ra-HAY |
| May the child make the parents' name shine | Bachcha maa-baap da naam chamkaave | ਬੱਚਾ ਮਾਂ-ਬਾਪ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਚਮਕਾਵੇ | BUCH-chaa maan-baap daa naam chum-KAA-vay |
| May God's grace stay on the little one | Rabb di mehar nikke te bani rahe | ਰੱਬ ਦੀ ਮਿਹਰ ਨਿੱਕੇ 'ਤੇ ਬਣੀ ਰਹੇ | rubb dee MEH-ur NIK-kay tay BUN-ee ra-HAY |
| Congratulations on becoming grandparents | Dada-Dadi / Nana-Nani banan diyan vadhaaiyan | ਦਾਦਾ-ਦਾਦੀ / ਨਾਨਾ-ਨਾਨੀ ਬਣਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ | … BUN-un dee-AAN … |
| Congratulations on becoming an uncle (maternal) / aunt | Mama / masi banan diyan vadhaaiyan | ਮਾਮਾ / ਮਾਸੀ ਬਣਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ | MAA-maa / MAA-see … |
| God bless (Muslim Punjabi) | Masha Allah, Allah lammi umar deve | ਮਾਸ਼ਾ ਅੱਲ੍ਹਾ, ਅੱਲ੍ਹਾ ਲੰਮੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇਵੇ | — |
| By Waheguru's grace | Waheguru di kirpa | ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ | VAA-heh-gu-roo dee KIR-paa |
Reply: Shukriya ji, tuhadi dua naal — thank you, with your blessing. The pattern behind every congratulation is in congratulations in Punjabi.
The Questions You'll Be Asked (and Will Ask)
| Punjabi | Gurmukhi | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maa te bachcha dove theek han? | ਮਾਂ ਤੇ ਬੱਚਾ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਠੀਕ ਹਨ? | Are mother and baby both well? | Always the first question |
| Munda hoya ya kudi? | ਮੁੰਡਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਜਾਂ ਕੁੜੀ? | A boy or a girl? | The second |
| Kinne pound da hai / di hai? | ਕਿੰਨੇ ਪੌਂਡ ਦਾ ਹੈ / ਦੀ ਹੈ? | How many pounds? | The third, without fail |
| Kis te gaya / gayi? | ਕਿਸ 'ਤੇ ਗਿਆ / ਗਈ? | Who does he / she take after? | Answer: bilkul tere te — exactly like you |
| Naam ki rakhia? | ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ? | What name have you given? | Often "not yet" until the naam karan |
| Raat nu saunda hai? | ਰਾਤ ਨੂੰ ਸੌਂਦਾ ਹੈ? | Does he sleep at night? | Asked with sympathy |
| Nazar na lagge! | ਨਜ਼ਰ ਨਾ ਲੱਗੇ! | May the evil eye not touch him / her | Said after admiring the baby — always |
| Bahut sohna hai / sohni hai | ਬਹੁਤ ਸੋਹਣਾ ਹੈ / ਸੋਹਣੀ ਹੈ | He's / she's beautiful | Follow with nazar na lagge |
Baby Words
| English | Punjabi | Gurmukhi | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby, child | Bachcha / bachchi | ਬੱਚਾ / ਬੱਚੀ | BUCH-chaa / BUCH-chee |
| Newborn | Nava janmia | ਨਵਾਂ ਜੰਮਿਆ | na-VAAN JUM-mee-aa |
| Little boy / little girl | Kaka / kaki | ਕਾਕਾ / ਕਾਕੀ | KAA-kaa / KAA-kee |
| The little one | Nikka / nikki | ਨਿੱਕਾ / ਨਿੱਕੀ | NIK-kaa / NIK-kee |
| Son / daughter | Putt / dhee | ਪੁੱਤ / ਧੀ | putt / dhee |
| Grandson / granddaughter (son's child) | Pota / poti | ਪੋਤਾ / ਪੋਤੀ | PO-taa / PO-tee |
| Grandson / granddaughter (daughter's child) | Dohta / dohti | ਦੋਹਤਾ / ਦੋਹਤੀ | DOH-taa / DOH-tee |
| Lap; to pick up | Godi; godi laina | ਗੋਦੀ; ਗੋਦੀ ਲੈਣਾ | GO-dee LAI-naa |
| Cradle, swing | Jhoola / paalna | ਝੂਲਾ / ਪਾਲਣਾ | JHOO-laa / PAAL-naa |
| Lullaby | Lori | ਲੋਰੀ | LO-ree |
| Milk / sleep / nappy | Dudh / neend / pamper | ਦੁੱਧ / ਨੀਂਦ / ਪੈਂਪਰ | dudh / neend |
| To cry / to laugh | Rona / hasna | ਰੋਣਾ / ਹੱਸਣਾ | RO-naa / HUS-naa |
| How many months old? | Kinne mahine da hai? | ਕਿੰਨੇ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਦਾ ਹੈ? | KIN-nay ma-HEE-nay daa hai |
| Mother's family / father's family | Nanke / dadke | ਨਾਨਕੇ / ਦਾਦਕੇ | NAAN-kay / DAAD-kay |
Who becomes mama, masi, chacha and bhua overnight is in Punjabi family words; the grandparent words in grandparents and grandchildren in Punjabi; and the sweet names you'll call the baby in Punjabi terms of endearment.
What Happens Next
| Tradition | Punjabi | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Distributing sweets | Mithai / ladoo vandna ਲੱਡੂ ਵੰਡਣਾ | The family hands out sweets to relatives, neighbours and colleagues to announce the birth; traditionally ladoos for a son, now for any child |
| Naming ceremony | Naam karan ਨਾਮ ਕਰਨ | At the gurdwara, a Hukamnama is read and the baby's name begins with its first letter; Hindu families hold a naamkaran, Muslim families an aqiqah |
| Gifts from the maternal grandparents | Chhuchhak ਛੂਛਕ | Clothes, gold, a cradle and gifts brought by the nanke — the mother's family — for the baby and the household |
| The first Lohri | Pehli Lohri ਪਹਿਲੀ ਲੋਹੜੀ | A newborn's first Lohri (13–14 January) is celebrated with a bonfire, sweets and the whole family — historically for sons, now for daughters too (dheeyan di Lohri). See Lohri wishes in Punjabi |
| Protecting from the evil eye | Nazar ਨਜ਼ਰ | A black thread or a dot of kohl (kaala tikka) behind the ear, and nazar na lagge after every compliment |
| First turban (boys, later) | Dastaar bandi ਦਸਤਾਰ ਬੰਦੀ | Years away, but the patka starts as soon as there's hair to tie |
Messages You Can Send
| To | Message | Gurmukhi |
|---|---|---|
| The new parents | Vadhaaiyan ji! Nave mehmaan diyan lakh lakh vadhaaiyan. Rabb bachche nu lammi umar te sehat deve, te tuhanu himmat (te neend!). | ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਜੀ! ਨਵੇਂ ਮਹਿਮਾਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ। ਰੱਬ ਬੱਚੇ ਨੂੰ ਲੰਮੀ ਉਮਰ ਤੇ ਸਿਹਤ ਦੇਵੇ, ਤੇ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਹਿੰਮਤ (ਤੇ ਨੀਂਦ!)। |
| The new grandparents | Dada-Dadi banan diyan lakh lakh vadhaaiyan ji. Pota / poti tuhadi chhaan vich vadde hove. | ਦਾਦਾ-ਦਾਦੀ ਬਣਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਜੀ। ਪੋਤਾ / ਪੋਤੀ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਛਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਡੇ ਹੋਵੇ। |
| A friend who's had a daughter | Kudi hoyi — lakh lakh vadhaaiyan! Rabb nikki nu lammi umar deve. Ladoo kadon aa rahe han? | ਕੁੜੀ ਹੋਈ — ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ! ਰੱਬ ਨਿੱਕੀ ਨੂੰ ਲੰਮੀ ਉਮਰ ਦੇਵੇ। ਲੱਡੂ ਕਦੋਂ ਆ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ? |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you congratulate someone on a new baby in Punjabi?
Vadhaaiyan ji! or Nave mehmaan diyan lakh lakh vadhaaiyan (ਨਵੇਂ ਮਹਿਮਾਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ), followed by a blessing: Rabb bachche nu lammi umar deve, may God give the child a long life.
What does nava mehmaan mean?
Nava mehmaan (ਨਵਾਂ ਮਹਿਮਾਨ) means "new guest" — the Punjabi way of referring to a newborn, as a guest the family has been waiting for.
What do you say when you meet a Punjabi baby?
Bahut sohna hai (he's beautiful) or bahut sohni hai (she's beautiful), always followed by nazar na lagge — may the evil eye not touch them — and usually kis te gaya?, who does he take after?
What is chhuchhak?
Chhuchhak (ਛੂਛਕ) is the set of gifts — clothes, gold, a cradle, household things — that a new mother's parents (nanke) bring for the baby and the family after a birth.
Welcome the New Guest in Punjabi
Nava mehmaan deserves to hear the language from day one — and so do the parents. Alfaazo teaches everyday Punjabi with native audio, the Gurmukhi script and bite-sized lessons you can finish in five minutes a day. Free on iOS and Android.
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