The Punjabi typing tool is a free and efficient solution for writing in Punjabi without requiring knowledge of the Gurmukhi keyboard layout. Using an English QWERTY keyboard, you type as you normally would, and the tool generates a list of phonetically similar Punjabi words. You can navigate through these suggestions with the arrow keys and finalize your choice by pressing the spacebar. This design blends simplicity with functional complexity, ensuring an effortless yet dynamic experience, making it a reliable choice for creating Punjabi content seamlessly.
History of the Punjabi Language
Punjabi, the native language of Punjab, is one of the most widely spoken languages in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. The origins of Punjabi trace back to Sanskrit and Prakrit, with its evolution beginning around the 7th century CE. It gradually developed through the Apabhramsha stage before emerging as an independent language by the 12th century.
Punjabi is deeply connected to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the region. The language was significantly shaped during the medieval period, particularly by the Sikh Gurus. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, and subsequent Gurus used Punjabi to compose the Guru Granth Sahib, making it a language of spirituality and devotion.
During the Mughal period, Punjabi literature flourished with contributions from Sufi poets like Bulleh Shah and Waris Shah, whose works, such as Heer Ranjha, remain iconic. Under British colonial rule, Punjabi further developed as a literary and administrative language.
Today, Punjabi is written in two scripts: Gurmukhi in India and Shahmukhi in Pakistan. It continues to thrive as a vibrant medium of expression in literature, music, and cinema, connecting millions of speakers worldwide to their roots.
Punjabi Alphabets
The Punjabi alphabet, written in the Gurmukhi script, is used primarily for writing Punjabi in India. It consists of vowels (ਸਵਰ) and consonants (ਵਿਆੰਜਨ). Below is a detailed overview of the Punjabi alphabets:
ਸਵਰ (Vowels)
Punjabi vowels are written as independent letters and also as vowel signs (ਮਾਤਰਾ) when combined with consonants.
Gurmukhi Letter | Transliteration | Pronunciation (IPA) |
---|
ਅ | a | ə (as in about) |
ਆ | ā | aː (as in father) |
ਇ | i | ɪ (as in bit) |
ਈ | ī | iː (as in see) |
ਉ | u | ʊ (as in put) |
ਊ | ū | uː (as in rule) |
ਏ | e | eː (as in they) |
ਐ | ai | æ (as in cat) |
ਓ | o | oː (as in go) |
ਔ | au | ɔː (as in caught) |
ਵਿਆੰਜਨ (Consonants)
Punjabi consonants are organized into groups based on their articulation.
ਕਵਰਗ (Velar)
Gurmukhi Letter | Transliteration | Pronunciation (IPA) |
---|
ਕ | ka | k |
ਖ | kha | kʰ |
ਗ | ga | g |
ਘ | gha | gʰ |
ਙ | ṅa | ŋ (as in song) |
ਚਵਰਗ (Palatal)
Gurmukhi Letter | Transliteration | Pronunciation (IPA) |
---|
ਚ | ca | tʃ (as in church) |
ਛ | cha | tʃʰ |
ਜ | ja | dʒ (as in judge) |
ਝ | jha | dʒʰ |
ਞ | ña | ɲ |
ਟਵਰਗ (Retroflex)
Gurmukhi Letter | Transliteration | Pronunciation (IPA) |
---|
ਟ | ṭa | ʈ |
ਠ | ṭha | ʈʰ |
ਡ | ḍa | ɖ |
ਢ | ḍha | ɖʰ |
ਣ | ṇa | ɳ |
ਤਵਰਗ (Dental)
Gurmukhi Letter | Transliteration | Pronunciation (IPA) |
---|
ਤ | ta | t |
ਥ | tha | tʰ |
ਦ | da | d |
ਧ | dha | dʰ |
ਨ | na | n |
ਪਵਰਗ (Labial)
Gurmukhi Letter | Transliteration | Pronunciation (IPA) |
---|
ਪ | pa | p |
ਫ | pha | pʰ |
ਬ | ba | b |
ਭ | bha | bʰ |
ਮ | ma | m |
ਅੰਤਸਥ (Semi-Vowels)
Gurmukhi Letter | Transliteration | Pronunciation (IPA) |
---|
ਯ | ya | j |
ਰ | ra | r |
ਲ | la | l |
ਵ | va/wa | ʋ |
ਸ਼ੁਸ਼ਕ ਵਿਆੰਜਨ (Sibilants and Others)
Gurmukhi Letter | Transliteration | Pronunciation (IPA) |
---|
ਸ਼ | śa | ʃ |
ਸ | sa | s |
ਹ | ha | h |
Additional Letters
Gurmukhi Letter | Transliteration | Pronunciation (IPA) |
---|
ਖ਼ | kha | x (as in Bach) |
ਗ਼ | ga | ɣ |
ਜ਼ | za | z |
ਫ਼ | fa | f |
ਲ਼ | ḷa | ɭ |
Symbols
Gurmukhi Symbol | Name | Usage |
---|
ੳ | Ura | Initial vowel carrier |
ਅ | Aira | Default vowel carrier |
ੲ | Iri | Initial vowel carrier |
Punjabi Numerals
Gurmukhi | Numeral |
---|
੦ | 0 |
੧ | 1 |
੨ | 2 |
੩ | 3 |
੪ | 4 |
੫ | 5 |
੬ | 6 |
੭ | 7 |
੮ | 8 |
੯ | 9 |
The Gurmukhi script is phonetic and logical, making it relatively easy to learn and use for writing Punjabi.