3.6 Possessions in Punjabi

In English, the verb “to have” is used to express possessions like:

• I have a pen.
• I have two brothers.
• I have a fever.
• I have two bathrooms in my house.

In Punjabi, there are four different ways to express possession, or “to have.” It depends on the thing that is being possessed.

1. ਦੇ ਕੋਲ

ਦੇ ਕੋਲ is used to express possession of inanimate things where the ownership is not necessarily permanent. These inanimate things are tangible, moveable, material objects. This is also used for time.

Examples:

• ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਬਹੁਤ ਕੱਪੜੇ ਹਨ। (I have many clothes.)
• ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਡੇ ਕੋਲ ਗੱਡੀ ਹੈ? (Do you have a car?)
• ਅੱਜ ਮੇਰੇ ਕੋਲ ਸਮਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। (Today I have no time.)

2. ਦਾ, ਦੇ, ਦੀ, ਦੀਆਂ

ਦਾ, ਦੇ, ਦੀ, ਦੀਆਂ are used to express possession of kin, limbs of the body, and permanent legal possessions such as land. It is also used for asking questions, etc.

Examples:

• ਮੇਰੀ ਇੱਕ ਭੈਣ ਹੈ। (I have one sister.)
• ਮੇਰਾ ਇੱਕ ਸਵਾਲ ਹੈ। (I have a question.)
• ਉਸਦੀ ਇੱਕ ਦੁਕਾਨ ਹੈ। (He has a shop.)

3. ਨੂੰ

ਨੂੰ is used to show possession of abstract entity like a fever, cold, cough, work, etc.

Examples:

• ਬੱਚੇ ਨੂੰ ਜੁਕਾਮ ਹੈ। (The child has a cold.)
• ਅੱਜ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਕੰਮ ਹੈ। (Today I have lots of work.)
• ਉਸਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਸ਼ਰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ। (He has no shame.)

4. ਵਿੱਚ

ਵਿੱਚ is used to show possession of an integral part of a whole.

Examples:

• ਮੇਰੇ ਘਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਦੋ ਗੁਸਲਖਾਨੇ ਹਨ। (My home has two bathrooms.)
• ਮੇਰੇ ਸਿਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਰਦ ਹੈ? (I have a headache.)

Test Yourself

Activity 1: Speaking and Writing

Write 4 sentences about each possessed thing in Punjabi. You may write out your sentences or record your sentences by pressing the button below. Once you are done recording, you can download your audio file and send it to your teacher for feedback and/or share it with your friends.

Activity 2: Choose the Translation

ਧੰਨਵਾਦ!