2.6 How to Convert Singular to Plural in Punjabi

Nouns Video Transcript

Hello friends!

In this video, you are going to learn about nouns in Punjabi. So when you learn a word for a noun in Punjabi, then you have to learn the gender attached to it. There is no simple rule that one can tell you what you should look for. However, with some observations there are a few "rules," but then these rules have many exceptions. But, with the common observation, we have categorized it in two categories: masculine and feminine. So, again, masculine have subcategories: marked masculine and unmarked masculine. The same way, feminine has two categories: marked feminine and unmarked feminine.

[Categories]

So, the noun ending by “ਾ” are marked masculine nouns. Like "pakkha" ਪੱਖਾ, "parda" ਪਰਦਾ, "kamra" ਕਮਰਾ.

The nouns other than ending by “ਾ” are unmarked masculine noun. Like "Farsh" ਫਰਸ਼, "Sooraj" ਸੂਰਜ, etc.

The same way, the nouns ending in “ੀ” are marked feminine nouns. Like "copy" ਕਾਪੀ, "Kursee" ਕੁਰਸੀ.

Then others not ending in “ੀ” are unmarked feminine. Like "Kitaab" ਕਿਤਾਬ, "kandh" ਕੰਧ.

[Plural Conversion]

So to make it plural, marked masculine noun “ਾ” ending changes into “ੇ.” So ਪੱਖਾ becomes ਪੱਖੇ, ਪਰਦਾ becomes ਪਰਦੇ, and ਕਮਰਾ becomes ਕਮਰੇ in plural case. Multiple fans, multiple curtains, and multiple rooms.

Unmarked masculine nouns do not change at all, they remain same. So for plural: ਫਰਸ਼, multiple, ਫਰਸ਼ (multiple floors) and ਸੂਰਜ is sun (multiple suns). So, ਇੱਕ ਫਰਸ਼, ਦੋ ਫਰਸ਼, ਇੱਕ ਸੂਰਜ, ਦੋ ਸੂਰਜ. So they do not change at all, they remain same.

For feminine nouns, marked feminine nouns “ੀ” ending changes into “ਆਂ” independent “ਆਂ” with Bindi (ਂ). ਕਾਪੀ (notebook) becomes ਕਾਪੀਆਂ (notebooks); multiple notebooks. ਕੁਰਸੀ (chair) becomes ਕੁਰਸੀਆਂ (multiple chairs).

For unmarked feminine nouns, they change with the dependent “ਾ.” So ਕਿਤਾਬ becomes ਕਿਤਾਬਾਂ and ਕੰਧ becomes ਕੰਧਾਂ.

[Exceptions]

So as I already told you, these are not the fixed rules that all “ਾ” ending nouns are masculine and all “ੀ” ending nouns are feminine. There are some nouns which ends with ਕੰਨਾ “ਾ” that are feminine nouns, like ਮਾਂ. It ends with “ਾ,” but it is feminine noun for mother. ਕਵਿਤਾ (poem or poetry). So these end with ਕੰਨਾ “ਾ” and are feminine nouns.

The same way there are some nouns which ends with “ੀ” and are masculine nouns like ਪਾਣੀ (water). It is a masculine noun and ਆਦਮੀ (man) is a masculine noun. So, what I am trying to say is just be watchful about it and for more you can see the chapter.

Thank you!