Meaning
Becoming indifferent or unfriendly.
Cultural Background
In villages, 'Akkhāṁ phēr ਲੈਣਾ' is a serious social snub. Because everyone knows everyone, avoiding eye contact is a public declaration of a feud. Many Punjabi songs use this idiom to describe a lover who has become unfaithful or a friend who changed after moving abroad (to Canada or the UK). In historical texts, turning one's eyes away from the 'Guru' or the 'Panth' (community) is seen as a great moral failing. In Punjabi business culture, trust is built on 'Zubaan' (word) and eye contact. If a partner 'turns their eyes,' it usually signals the end of a partnership.
Grammar Hack
Always remember that 'Akkhāṁ' is feminine plural. In the past tense, the verb will always end in 'iāṁ' (ਲਈਆਂ).
Don't be too literal
If you use this for someone who just turned their head to look at a car, people will be confused. Use it for emotional changes.
Meaning
Becoming indifferent or unfriendly.
Grammar Hack
Always remember that 'Akkhāṁ' is feminine plural. In the past tense, the verb will always end in 'iāṁ' (ਲਈਆਂ).
Don't be too literal
If you use this for someone who just turned their head to look at a car, people will be confused. Use it for emotional changes.
Social Weight
This is a strong idiom. Using it about a family member implies a very deep hurt.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
ਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਗਰੀਬ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ, ਮੇਰੇ ਦੋਸਤਾਂ ਨੇ ______।
The idiom requires the plural 'eyes' and the auxiliary 'laiṇā' in the feminine plural past form 'laīāṁ'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'ਅੱਖਾਂ ਫੇਰ ਲੈਣਾ'?
Choose the correct scenario:
The idiom describes becoming indifferent or unfriendly due to a change in status or situation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ਕੀ ਉਹ ਅਜੇ ਵੀ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਦੋਸਤ ਹੈ? B: ਨਹੀਂ, ਉਸਨੇ ਤਾਂ ______।
'Akkhāṁ phēr laiṇā' indicates the end of a friendship or support.
Match the Punjabi phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are common social idioms in Punjabi.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesਜਦੋਂ ਮੈਂ ਗਰੀਬ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ, ਮੇਰੇ ਦੋਸਤਾਂ ਨੇ ______।
The idiom requires the plural 'eyes' and the auxiliary 'laiṇā' in the feminine plural past form 'laīāṁ'.
Choose the correct scenario:
The idiom describes becoming indifferent or unfriendly due to a change in status or situation.
A: ਕੀ ਉਹ ਅਜੇ ਵੀ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਦੋਸਤ ਹੈ? B: ਨਹੀਂ, ਉਸਨੇ ਤਾਂ ______।
'Akkhāṁ phēr laiṇā' indicates the end of a friendship or support.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common social idioms in Punjabi.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNot really. It implies a previous relationship or a social duty that was broken. If a stranger ignores you, they just didn't notice you.
It's not rude to say, but it describes a 'rude' or 'hurtful' situation. You are accusing someone of being indifferent.
They are 99% the same. 'Mūnh' (face) is slightly more common in casual speech, while 'Akkhāṁ' (eyes) is more common in poetry and songs.
You would say: 'ਉਹ ਮੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਫੇਰ ਲਵੇਗਾ' (Oh mērē tōṁ akkhāṁ phēr lavēgā).
Related Phrases
ਪਿੱਠ ਦਿਖਾਉਣਾ
similarTo turn one's back/retreat.
ਅੱਖਾਂ ਫੇਰਨਾ
synonymTo turn the eyes.
ਨਜ਼ਰਾਂ ਚੁਰਾਉਣਾ
similarTo avoid eye contact out of guilt.
ਮੂੰਹ ਮੋੜਨਾ
synonymTo turn the face away.
