Notice the pattern? Most end in “-aa(n)” (like “aah” with a nasal hint), except 19 and 20. From 20 onwards, numbers follow a logical rule: Tens + and + Units .
(A hundred thanks – a common Punjabi saying)
| Number | Punjabi Word | Breakdown | Pronunciation | |--------|--------------|-----------|---------------| | 21 | ਇੱਕੀ | 20 (veeh) + 1 (ikk) → ikkī | Ik-kee | | 22 | ਬਾਈ | 20 + 2 (do) → bāī | Baa-ee | | 23 | ਤੇਈ | 20 + 3 (tinn) → teī | Tay-ee | | 24 | ਚੌਵੀ | 20 + 4 (chaar) → chauvee | Chau-vee | | 25 | ਪੰਝੀ | 20 + 5 (panj) → panjhī | Pun-jhee | | 26 | ਛੱਬੀ | 20 + 6 (chhe) → chhabbī | Chhub-bee | | 27 | ਸਤਾਈ | 20 + 7 (satt) → satāī | Sut-taa-ee | | 28 | ਅਠਾਈ | 20 + 8 (atth) → athāī | Ut-taa-ee | | 29 | ਉਨੱਤੀ | 20 + 9 (nau(n)) → unattī | U-nut-tee | | 30 | ਤੀਹ | Thirty | Teeh | numbers in punjabi 1-100
| Number | Gurmukhi | Punjabi Word | Pronunciation | |--------|----------|--------------|---------------| | 11 | ੧੧ | ਗਿਆਰਾਂ | Gi-aaraa(n) | | 12 | ੧੨ | ਬਾਰਾਂ | Baaraa(n) | | 13 | ੧੩ | ਤੇਰਾਂ | Teraa(n) | | 14 | ੧੪ | ਚੌਦਾਂ | Chaudaa(n) | | 15 | ੧੫ | ਪੰਦਰਾਂ | Pandraa(n) | | 16 | ੧੬ | ਸੋਲ੍ਹਾਂ | Sollaa(n) | | 17 | ੧੭ | ਸਤਾਰਾਂ | Sataaraa(n) | | 18 | ੧੮ | ਅਠਾਰਾਂ | Athaa raa(n) | | 19 | ੧੯ | ਉਨੀ | Unnee | | 20 | ੨੦ | ਵੀਹ | Veeh |
| Number | Gurmukhi Numeral | Punjabi Word | Pronunciation (English-like) | |--------|------------------|--------------|------------------------------| | 1 | ੧ | ਇੱਕ | Ikk (rhymes with “sick”) | | 2 | ੨ | ਦੋ | Do (like “dough”) | | 3 | ੩ | ਤਿੰਨ | Tinn (soft ‘t’, as in ‘tin’) | | 4 | ੪ | ਚਾਰ | Chaar (like “char” in charcoal) | | 5 | ੫ | ਪੰਜ | Panj (rhymes with “bungee” without the ‘ee’) | | 6 | ੬ | ਛੇ | Chhe (aspirated ‘ch’ + ‘ay’) | | 7 | ੭ | ਸੱਤ | Satt (like “but” with ‘s’) | | 8 | ੮ | ਅੱਠ | Atth (strong ‘t’ sound, tongue touches teeth) | | 9 | ੯ | ਨੌਂ | Nau(n) (like “now” but nasal) | | 10 | ੧੦ | ਦਸ | Das (like “thus” without ‘th’) | Notice the pattern
Practice saying these out loud while pointing to objects. One clap = ikk , two claps = do , etc. Punjabi Numbers 11-20: The Slightly Irregular Zone This set has some quirks. Don’t expect simple formulas yet—just memorize.
For example: 21 = 20 + 1 = Veeh + ikk → but slightly modified. (A hundred thanks – a common Punjabi saying)
Now go count something in Punjabi. 😊 Did you find this guide helpful? Share it with a friend learning Punjabi, or save it for your own practice. If you’d like a printable PDF version, let me know in the comments!