For example: 21 = 20 + 1 = Veeh + ikk → but slightly modified.

If you’re learning Punjabi (whether the Gurmukhi script or just the spoken language), mastering numbers is a fantastic place to start. Numbers pop up everywhere: buying vegetables at the market, telling time, haggling over prices, or just chatting with friends.

| Number | Gurmukhi Numeral | Punjabi Word | Pronunciation (English-like) | |--------|------------------|--------------|------------------------------| | 1 | ੧ | ਇੱਕ | Ikk (rhymes with “sick”) | | 2 | ੨ | ਦੋ | Do (like “dough”) | | 3 | ੩ | ਤਿੰਨ | Tinn (soft ‘t’, as in ‘tin’) | | 4 | ੪ | ਚਾਰ | Chaar (like “char” in charcoal) | | 5 | ੫ | ਪੰਜ | Panj (rhymes with “bungee” without the ‘ee’) | | 6 | ੬ | ਛੇ | Chhe (aspirated ‘ch’ + ‘ay’) | | 7 | ੭ | ਸੱਤ | Satt (like “but” with ‘s’) | | 8 | ੮ | ਅੱਠ | Atth (strong ‘t’ sound, tongue touches teeth) | | 9 | ੯ | ਨੌਂ | Nau(n) (like “now” but nasal) | | 10 | ੧੦ | ਦਸ | Das (like “thus” without ‘th’) |

But let’s be honest—Punjabi numbers can look intimidating at first. The script is different, the pronunciation has unique twists, and the patterns shift after 20.

| Number | Gurmukhi | Punjabi Word | Pronunciation | |--------|----------|--------------|---------------| | 11 | ੧੧ | ਗਿਆਰਾਂ | Gi-aaraa(n) | | 12 | ੧੨ | ਬਾਰਾਂ | Baaraa(n) | | 13 | ੧੩ | ਤੇਰਾਂ | Teraa(n) | | 14 | ੧੪ | ਚੌਦਾਂ | Chaudaa(n) | | 15 | ੧੫ | ਪੰਦਰਾਂ | Pandraa(n) | | 16 | ੧੬ | ਸੋਲ੍ਹਾਂ | Sollaa(n) | | 17 | ੧੭ | ਸਤਾਰਾਂ | Sataaraa(n) | | 18 | ੧੮ | ਅਠਾਰਾਂ | Athaa raa(n) | | 19 | ੧੯ | ਉਨੀ | Unnee | | 20 | ੨੦ | ਵੀਹ | Veeh |

Practice saying these out loud while pointing to objects. One clap = ikk , two claps = do , etc. Punjabi Numbers 11-20: The Slightly Irregular Zone This set has some quirks. Don’t expect simple formulas yet—just memorize.