If your partner's family speaks Panjabi, start with the words for your in-laws and a few warm phrases. Then learn to read Gurmukhi and build up to simple conversation. Panjabi Go gives you short daily lessons with native-quality audio and feedback on your pronunciation, so you can talk with your partner's family, not only smile and nod.
In-laws value the effort far more than fluency. I built Panjabi Go so that my own kids would not lose the language. A partner who joins a Punjabi family needs the same things that my kids need: the sounds, the script and the confidence to try.
What should you call your in-laws?
Punjabi has a separate word for each relative, so learn these first. You will use them every day, and the wrong word is easy to notice.
| Who | Punjabi | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Mother-in-law | ਸੱਸ | sass |
| Father-in-law | ਸਹੁਰਾ | sauhra |
| Wife's brother | ਸਾਲਾ | saala |
| Wife's sister | ਸਾਲੀ | saali |
| Husband's younger brother | ਦਿਓਰ | diyor |
| Husband's sister | ਨਣਦ | nanad |
The full set of aunts, uncles and cousins is in my guide to Punjabi family words.
Which phrases help at a family meal?
Greet the elders with Sat Sri Akal and your hands together. Then try these three:
- ਖਾਣਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਵਾਦ ਹੈ (khaana bahut swaad hai): the food is delicious.
- ਮੈਂ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਾਂ? (main madad karaan?): can I help?
- ਥੋੜਾ ਥੋੜਾ ਆਉਂਦੀ ਹੈ (thoda thoda aundi hai): I understand a little.
I wrote more about the first months with a Punjabi family in learning Punjabi for marriage.
What words will you hear at a Punjabi wedding?
A wedding is a viah (ਵਿਆਹ). The Sikh ceremony is the Anand Karaj (ਅਨੰਦ ਕਾਰਜ). The milni (ਮਿਲਣੀ) is the meeting of the two families. The four lavan (ਲਾਵਾਂ) are the verses that make the marriage. The doli (ਡੋਲੀ) is the bride's farewell to her parents' home. The word that you will say most is vadhaaiyan (ਵਧਾਈਆਂ), "congratulations". Each stage is explained in Punjabi wedding words and phrases.
Do you need to read Gurmukhi?
You do not need it for your first phrases. You will need it if you want to keep going. Romanised Punjabi has no fixed spelling, so the same word is written in many ways, and it often hides sounds that change the meaning. Gurmukhi is largely phonetic: you read what is written. Most adults can read it in 4-6 weeks. I compare the two in Gurmukhi or romanised Punjabi.
How long does it take?
| Goal | Time with regular practice |
|---|---|
| Greetings and in-law words | A few days |
| Read Gurmukhi | 4-6 weeks |
| A basic conversation | Six to twelve months |
Ten or fifteen minutes a day works better than one long session a week. I explain why in how long it takes to learn Punjabi.
How does Panjabi Go help?
- Native-quality audio on every letter, word and phrase.
- Pronunciation feedback on each sound, so swaad does not come out as saad.
- 3D mouth videos that show where your tongue and lips go for sounds that English does not have.
- Gurmukhi from scratch: the 35 akhar, then laga matra and Muharni.
- Family and wedding words, plus phrases for the gurdwara, so you can follow what happens around you.
- AI Voice Chat to practise a conversation before you try it at the table.
Can you and your partner learn together?
Yes. The Family Pack gives four people a Fluent seat each, so you and your partner each keep your own progress. If your partner grew up with Panjabi, they may understand more than they can say, so you can practise with each other. You can compare the plans on the pricing page.
Which Panjabi will you learn?
Panjabi Go teaches standard Panjabi (Eastern Punjabi, based on the Majhi dialect) in Gurmukhi. Most families from Indian Punjab will understand it. If your partner's family is from Pakistan, they may speak a Western dialect and write in Shahmukhi, which Panjabi Go does not teach. I explain the differences in Eastern vs Western Punjabi.
What can't Panjabi Go do?
- It has no web app. You learn on an iPhone or an Android phone, and it is launching soon on both.
- It has no offline mode, so you need an internet connection.
- One device can be signed in to an account at a time.
Sources
Questions people ask
What Punjabi should I learn first for my in-laws?
Learn the words for your in-laws first, such as sass (mother-in-law) and sauhra (father-in-law). Then learn a few warm phrases: Sat Sri Akal to greet elders, a compliment on the food and an offer to help.
How long does it take to talk with my partner's family in Punjabi?
You can learn the greetings and a few phrases in days. Most adults can read Gurmukhi in 4-6 weeks, and a basic conversation takes six to twelve months of regular practice.
Can my partner and I learn Panjabi together?
Yes. The Family Pack gives four people a Fluent seat each, so you, your partner and other family members each have your own progress.
Is Panjabi Go for non-Punjabi partners?
Yes. You do not need to know any Panjabi to start. The lessons start with the sounds and the 35 letters of Gurmukhi, and every faith and background is welcome.
