Signification
Expressing a requirement.
Contexte culturel
In a Punjabi home, you rarely have to say 'Mainu... chahida hai' because the host will keep offering you food and tea before you can even ask. In the community kitchen (Langar), volunteers serve everyone. If you need something, you ask humbly. When bargaining, saying 'Mainu eh [price] ਵਿੱਚ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ' (I need this for [price]) is a common way to set your limit. The phrase is used in 'Sufiana Kalam' (Sufi poetry) to express the soul's need for the Divine.
The Gender Rule
Always check the gender of the noun you need. If it ends in 'a', it's usually masculine (chahida). If it ends in 'i', it's usually feminine (chahidi).
Don't say 'Main'
Never start this phrase with 'Main'. It's the most obvious sign of a beginner. Always use 'Mainu'.
Signification
Expressing a requirement.
The Gender Rule
Always check the gender of the noun you need. If it ends in 'a', it's usually masculine (chahida). If it ends in 'i', it's usually feminine (chahidi).
Don't say 'Main'
Never start this phrase with 'Main'. It's the most obvious sign of a beginner. Always use 'Mainu'.
Polite Requests
Add 'ਜੀ' (ji) after 'chahida' to sound extra respectful: 'Mainu paani chahida hai ji.'
The 'Should' usage
Remember this phrase is your best friend for giving advice. 'Tuhanu... chahida hai' (You should...)
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'chahida' (chahida, chahidi, chahide).
ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਧ (milk - masc.) _______ ਹੈ।
Since 'dudh' is masculine singular, we use 'chahida'.
Which sentence correctly says 'I need help'?
Select the correct translation:
'Maddad' is feminine, and we must use 'Mainu'.
Complete the dialogue at the shop.
Customer: ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੋ ਕਿਤਾਬਾਂ _______ ਹਨ।
'Kitaban' is feminine plural, so 'chahidian' is the correct form.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'ਮੈਨੂੰ ਹੁਣ ਪੜ੍ਹਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।'
This sentence means 'I should study now.'
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Gender Agreement
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੁੱਧ (milk - masc.) _______ ਹੈ।
Since 'dudh' is masculine singular, we use 'chahida'.
Select the correct translation:
'Maddad' is feminine, and we must use 'Mainu'.
Customer: ਮੈਨੂੰ ਦੋ ਕਿਤਾਬਾਂ _______ ਹਨ।
'Kitaban' is feminine plural, so 'chahidian' is the correct form.
Sentence: 'ਮੈਨੂੰ ਹੁਣ ਪੜ੍ਹਨਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈ।'
This sentence means 'I should study now.'
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt functions as a verbal adjective. It agrees with the object in gender and number, much like an adjective would.
Yes, in most daily contexts, 'I need' and 'I want' are both expressed by this phrase. If you want to be specific about a deep desire, use 'chaunda'.
Say 'Mainu eh nahi chahida.' Just put 'nahi' before 'chahida'.
Usually, the verb agrees with the item mentioned last, or you can use the masculine plural 'chahide' as a default.
Yes, but add 'sir/mam' or 'ji' and perhaps 'kirpa karke' (please) to be safe.
This is a contraction of 'chahida hai' common in spoken Punjabi.
Change 'Mainu' to 'Osnu' (ਉਸਨੂੰ). The rest stays the same.
No, 'chahida' only changes based on the *object*. The person (I, you, we) is shown by the first word (Mainu, Tuhanu, Sanu).
Use 'Mainu karna chahida si.' (si = was).
Mostly, yes. 'Lor' is a noun meaning 'need'. 'Mainu lor hai' = I have a need. It's slightly more formal.
Expressions liées
ਮੈਨੂੰ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ
synonymI have a need
ਮੈਂ ਚਾਹੁੰਦਾ ਹਾਂ
similarI want
ਮੈਨੂੰ ਜ਼ਰੂਰਤ ਹੈ
synonymI have a necessity
ਮੈਨੂੰ ਪੈਣਾ ਹੈ
contrastI have to
