Phrase pack: Manners
How to Say Sorry in Punjabi (with Audio)
ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ
maaf karnaa — sorry / excuse me
Word for word: "forgive (me)"
Your child can read this by themselves after Level 3 · Vaak ਵਾਕ (Sentences). Until then, learn it by ear together.
Other ways to say it
ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰ ਦਿਓ
mainoon maaf kar dio — please forgive me
a sincere apology, especially to an elder
ਮੈਥੋਂ ਗ਼ਲਤੀ ਹੋ ਗਈ
maithon ghaltee ho gayee — I made a mistake
owning up to something you did
ਸੌਰੀ
sauree — sorry (borrowed from English)
casual, very common with kids and friends
ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰੀਂ
maaf kareen — sorry (casual)
to a brother, sister or friend
Word by word
-
ਮਾਫ਼
maaf
forgiven, pardoned
-
ਕਰਨਾ
karnaa
to do
How to reply
ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ
koee gall naheen — it's okay / no problem
ਚੱਲ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ
chall koee naa — never mind (casual)
Practise it together
Read it as parent and child, then swap parts. Tap any line to hear it.
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Child
ਮੰਮੀ, ਮੈਥੋਂ ਗਲਾਸ ਟੁੱਟ ਗਿਆ।
mummy, maithon glaas tutt giaa.
Mum, I broke the glass.
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Parent
ਤੈਨੂੰ ਸੱਟ ਤਾਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਲੱਗੀ?
tainoon satt taan naheen laggee?
You didn't get hurt?
-
Child
ਨਹੀਂ। ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰ ਦਿਓ।
naheen. maaf kar dio.
No. Sorry.
-
Parent
ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ। ਆਜਾ, ਇਕੱਠੇ ਸਾਫ਼ ਕਰੀਏ।
koee gall naheen. aajaa, ikatthe saaf kareeye.
It's okay. Come, let's clean it up together.
Try it tonight
Next time someone bumps into someone at home, pause and say ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ yourself — then let your child answer ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ. Swap roles. Two rounds is enough.
Why it matters
In Punjabi homes a real apology to an elder often comes with folded hands and a softer voice — the respect is part of the words. Adding ਜੀ (ji) after the person's name makes any apology gentler: ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ, ਨਾਨੀ ਜੀ.
Questions parents ask
- How do you say sorry in Punjabi?
- Say ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ (maaf karnaa). For a heartfelt apology, especially to an elder, say ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰ ਦਿਓ (mainoon maaf kar dio) — please forgive me.
- How do you reply when someone says sorry in Punjabi?
- Say ਕੋਈ ਗੱਲ ਨਹੀਂ (koee gall naheen) — it's okay, no problem.
- Is it okay to just say 'sorry' in Punjabi?
- Yes — ਸੌਰੀ is borrowed from English and widely used, especially by kids. Learning ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ as well gives your child the respectful form for elders.
More everyday phrases
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