Punjabi Grammar: Nouns #7 - Echo Words
Echo words are an instantly recognizable feature of Punjabi and several other Indian languages. Essentially, you repeat the word you just said, changing it a tiny little bit. This even works with English loan words in Punjabi! For example, "Purse Vurse". Changing the first letter to v- is a very common pattern, but sometimes, another sound will change. "Chaabi" (ਚਾਬੀ) means key, and its echo would sound like "chaabi chuubi" (ਚਾਬੀ ਚੂਬੀ).
What do echo words mean? They create a general sense of the word you're talking about. Ruth Laila Schmidt defines "chaabi chuubi" as 'Something like a key'. "chaah" (ਚਾਹ) means 'tea', and when you ask if someone would like any refreshments, you might say, "Would you like any chaah chuuh?" Chaah chuuh pini ai? (ਚਾਹ ਚੂਹ ਪੀਣੀ ਹੈ?)
Example #1: ‘‘ਆਓ ਅੰਦਰ ਆ ਜਾਵੋ। ਚਾਹ ਦਾ ਕੱਪ ਪੀ ਕੇ ਜਾਣਾ।’’ ਮੈਂ ਨਿਮਰਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਆਖਿਆ। ‘‘ਨਹੀਂ ਚਾਹ-ਚੂਹ ਦੀ ਤਾਂ ਲੋੜ ਨਹੀਂ।.."
"ਮੋਹਨ ਲਾਲ ਸੌਂ ਗਿਆ"
ਐਸ. ਸਾਕੀ
http://punjabitribuneonline.com/2014/...
Example #2: ਕੀ ਹਾਲ ਹੈ? ਠੀਕ-ਠਾਕ?
ਠੀਕ = Good
ਠੀਕ-ਠਾਕ = Alright, not bad