Signification
Asking about the identity of a person
Contexte culturel
In villages, asking 'Who is that?' often leads to a discussion of 'Gotra' (clan) and family lineage. People are identified by their family's reputation. Respect for elders is built into the language. Even a simple question like 'Who is he?' changes its verb to show 'Satkaar' (reverence). In cities like Chandigarh or Ludhiana, the informal 'Oh kaun aa?' is extremely common among youth, influenced by pop culture and music. Punjabi speakers abroad often mix English. You might hear 'Oh kaun hai, that guy?' as the languages blend.
The 'Aa' Shortcut
If you want to sound like a local, say 'Oh kaun aa?' instead of 'hai'.
Gender Neutrality
Don't look for a word for 'she'. 'Oh' covers everyone!
Signification
Asking about the identity of a person
The 'Aa' Shortcut
If you want to sound like a local, say 'Oh kaun aa?' instead of 'hai'.
Gender Neutrality
Don't look for a word for 'she'. 'Oh' covers everyone!
Respect Matters
Always use 'han' for anyone older than you, even by a few years.
Body Language
A slight tilt of the head often accompanies this question in Punjab.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask 'Who is he?'
ਉਹ ____ ਹੈ?
'Kaun' means 'who'. 'Ki' means 'what' and 'Kitthe' means 'where'.
Which sentence is the most respectful way to ask about an elder?
Select the formal version:
'Han' is the plural/formal form of 'is', used to show respect.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ਉਹ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ? B: ਉਹ ਮੇਰਾ ____ ਹੈ। (He is my brother)
'Bhara' means brother. 'Bhain' is sister and 'Dost' is friend.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You see a stranger in your garden.
You are asking about a person's identity, so 'who' (kaun) is correct.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesਉਹ ____ ਹੈ?
'Kaun' means 'who'. 'Ki' means 'what' and 'Kitthe' means 'where'.
Select the formal version:
'Han' is the plural/formal form of 'is', used to show respect.
A: ਉਹ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ? B: ਉਹ ਮੇਰਾ ____ ਹੈ। (He is my brother)
'Bhara' means brother. 'Bhain' is sister and 'Dost' is friend.
You see a stranger in your garden.
You are asking about a person's identity, so 'who' (kaun) is correct.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt means both! Punjabi pronouns are gender-neutral. Context tells you the gender.
Use the plural: 'ਉਹ ਕੌਣ ਹਨ?' (Oh kaun han?) or 'ਉਹ ਕੌਣ ਨੇ?' (Oh kaun ne?).
It can be. It's better to gesture subtly or describe the person (e.g., 'The person in the red shirt').
'Oh' is for someone far away (that/he/she). 'Eh' is for someone close by (this).
Yes! If you hear a spooky noise, you can ask 'ਉਹ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ?'.
That is a dialectal variation of 'hai', common in some parts of Punjab.
Say 'ਉਹ [Name/Relation] ਹੈ।' (e.g., ਉਹ ਅਮਨ ਹੈ).
No, 'Kaun' is only for people. For objects, use 'Ki' (What).
Change 'hai' to 'si': 'ਉਹ ਕੌਣ ਸੀ?'.
You can answer 'ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਤਾ' (I don't know).
Expressions liées
ਇਹ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ?
similarWho is this?
ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੌਣ ਹੋ?
similarWho are you?
ਉਹ ਕੀ ਹੈ?
contrastWhat is that?
ਕੌਣ-ਕੌਣ ਹੈ?
builds onWho all are there?
ਉਹ ਕੌਣ ਸੀ?
similarWho was that?
