The Punjabi words for everyday food, drinks and kitchen items — roti, daal, chah and more — in Gurmukhi with pronunciation, plus phrases you will hear at every table.
Essential Punjabi food words include roti (bread), daal (lentils), chawal (rice), sabzi (vegetables), doodh (milk) and paani (water). The word for food or a meal itself is khaana (ਖਾਣਾ). Few corners of a language are as warm — or as useful — as the kitchen, so this is a great place to build vocabulary.
Food Vocabulary in Punjabi
Punjabi food words travel everywhere: a langar hall, a dhaba on the highway, a grandmother's kitchen. Learn a handful and you can follow most mealtime conversation. We have grouped them into staples, drinks and basics, kitchen items, and mealtimes.
Staple Foods & Dishes
| Food | Gurmukhi | Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bread / flatbread | ਰੋਟੀ | roti | ROH-tee |
| Rice | ਚੌਲ | chawal | CHO-wal |
| Lentils | ਦਾਲ | daal | daal |
| Vegetable dish | ਸਬਜ਼ੀ | sabzi | SUB-zee |
| Yogurt | ਦਹੀਂ | daheen | du-HEEN |
| Butter | ਮੱਖਣ | makkhan | MUK-khan |
| Clarified butter (ghee) | ਘਿਓ | ghio | ghee-oh |
| Cheese (paneer) | ਪਨੀਰ | paneer | pa-NEER |
| Pickle | ਆਚਾਰ | aachaar | aa-CHAAR |
| Yogurt drink | ਲੱਸੀ | lassi | LUS-see |
Drinks and Basics
| Item | Gurmukhi | Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | ਪਾਣੀ | paani | PAA-nee |
| Milk | ਦੁੱਧ | duddh | dudh |
| Tea | ਚਾਹ | chah | chaah |
| Sugar | ਖੰਡ | khand | khund |
| Salt | ਲੂਣ | loon | loon |
| Oil | ਤੇਲ | tel | tail |
| Flour | ਆਟਾ | aata | AA-taa |
| Egg | ਆਂਡਾ | aanda | AAN-daa |
| Meat | ਮਾਸ | maas | maas |
| Fish | ਮੱਛੀ | machhi | MUCH-chee |
| Chicken | ਕੁੱਕੜ | kukkar | KUK-kar |
In the Kitchen (Rasoi)
| Item | Gurmukhi | Word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | ਰਸੋਈ | rasoi | ra-SOH-ee |
| Plate | ਥਾਲੀ | thaali | THAA-lee |
| Glass | ਗਲਾਸ | glaas | glaas |
| Spoon | ਚਮਚਾ | chamcha | CHUM-chaa |
| Knife | ਚਾਕੂ | chaaku | CHAA-koo |
| Pot / vessel | ਭਾਂਡਾ | bhaanda | BHAAN-daa |
| Stove | ਚੁੱਲ੍ਹਾ | chullha | CHULL-haa |
| Griddle (tawa) | ਤਵਾ | tava | ta-VAA |
| Rolling pin | ਵੇਲਣਾ | velna | VAIL-naa |
Mealtimes
| English | Gurmukhi | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | ਨਾਸ਼ਤਾ | naashta |
| Lunch | ਦੁਪਹਿਰ ਦਾ ਖਾਣਾ | dupehir da khaana |
| Dinner | ਰਾਤ ਦਾ ਖਾਣਾ | raat da khaana |
| Hunger | ਭੁੱਖ | bhukh |
| Thirst | ਪਿਆਸ | pyaas |
Common Phrases at the Table
- Mainu bhukh laggi hai. — I am hungry.
- Khaana taiyaar hai. — The food is ready.
- Bahut swaad hai! — It is delicious!
- Chah peeoge? — Will you have some tea?
- Pet bhar gaya. — I am full.
Want more everyday lines like these? See our 10 essential Punjabi phrases for beginners.
Cultural Note: Punjabi Hospitality
In Punjabi homes, food is love. Guests are rarely allowed to leave without eating — you will hear "khaana kha ke jao" ("eat before you go") more than once. The Sikh tradition of langar, the free community kitchen at every gurdwara, takes this further: anyone, from any background, is fed as an equal. Knowing the words on this page lets you take part in that warmth, not just watch it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Punjabi word for food?
The Punjabi word for food or a meal is khaana (ਖਾਣਾ). To say "I am hungry," you say "Mainu bhukh laggi hai."
How do you say bread and water in Punjabi?
Bread (flatbread) is roti (ਰੋਟੀ) and water is paani (ਪਾਣੀ).
What is langar?
Langar is the free community kitchen run at every Sikh gurdwara, where a simple vegetarian meal is served to all visitors regardless of background — a living expression of Punjabi and Sikh hospitality.
Practice Food Words with Alfaazo
Reading a table is a great start, but vocabulary really sticks when you hear it and use it. Alfaazo teaches Punjabi the natural way — native audio, the Gurmukhi script, and bite-sized lessons you can finish in five minutes a day. The food and dining lessons are a tasty place to begin. Free on iOS and Android.
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