Chapter 1: SOUNDS/ GREETINGS AND INTRODUCTIONS
Grammar Lesson 1C: Pronoun and Auxilary Verb
NOTE: Honourific Form
In Punjabi, the plural form can also signify a formal tone and is used to indicate respect.
If you were speaking to someone in a formal tone, to indicate respect then you would use ਤੁਸੀੰ rather than ਤੂੰ.
Similarly, if you were speaking about someone in a formal tone, to indicate respect, then you would use the plural form of ਿੲਹ/ਓੁਹ rather than the singular form.
In addition, the words ਜੀ and ਸਾਿਹਬ may also be added directly after the noun in order to indicate respect.
Example
| Honourific Form | |
| ਤੂੰ ਮੰਡਾ ਹੈ। | ਤੁਸੀਂ ਅਿਧਅਾਪਕ ਹੋ। |
| You are a boy. | You are a teacher [honourific form] |
| ਿੲਹ ਮੰਡਾ ਹੈ। | ਿੲਹ ਅਿਧਅਾਪਕ ਜੀ ਹਨ। |
| He is a boy. | He is a teacher [honourific form] |
When speaking to a boy, you would not need to use the honourific form, but when speaking to an elder or a person in a respected position, it is necessary to use the plural form [honourific form] to show respect.
Therefore, always remember to pluralize when showing respect.