Saraiki phrasebook

Saraiki (سرائیکی) is a language spoken widely in central Pakistan, especially the provinces of southern Punjab, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the border regions of North Sindh and Eastern Balochistan. Multan and Bahawalpur are considered hubs of Seraiki. It has at least 45 alphabets.

Saraiki is considered by some to be a dialect of Punjabi, to which it is quite similar, and you will certainly find understanding Saraiki easier if you are a Punjabi speaker. Nonetheless, it is the native language of 20 million people.

Pronunciation guide

• kh: Think of how the Scottish say loch or a German ch.
• gh: A guzzle type sound from deep in the throat that's hard for westerners. Have someone from North Africa, the Middle East, or Asia help you pronounce it.
• au: Think "owww!"
• ٻ
• ڄ
• ݙ
• ڳ
• ݨ

Phrase list

General Conversation

How are you: kay haal hen? (Less formal) or tuhada kiya haal hai saien? = تہاݙے کیا حال ہِن۔ (Formal to be used with strangers and the elderly).

I'm fine: Main teek aan or meda hal changa aa .= میں ٹھیک آں یا

 میڈا حال چنگا اے 

Welcome! = bismillaah Sain!= بسم اللہ سائیں

I'm bad: ruliya piyan

Whats your name?: Tuada na kay aay?

My name is...: meda naan .... aay.

Thank you: Dhannwaad/Shukriya = شکریہ

Welcome!: Bismillaah Sain!= بسم اللہ سائیں

Goodbye!: khuda hafeez!

Yes: jee, or, haa.

No: kona

where are you going: kithan wainday piyo?

i am going to ..........: mein vainda piyan ..........

Directions

Forwards: aggoon

Backwards: pichoon

Left: khabbay

Right: sajjay

Up : utoon

Down: talloon or hethan

Help!

Where is ...?: kithan hay....?

Bathroom:?: Ghusal khana or latreen

police:?: police

I need a doctor!: mekun doctor chahida hai horen!

I've been hurt.: mekun dukh lag py !!

Stop!: rok or khalo

Food

Water: panrien

Soda: pepsi

Bread: maani, naan, and also use of tukkur (depends on what type of bread), chapati, roti, learn the differences!

Chicken: kukerh Lamb/Goat : mehen da ghosht

Notes

In Pakistan, the firefighters are called the "Fire Brigade".

Most people understand the word doctor and will come to your aid.

Pepsi is just a general term for soda; if they actually HAND you a can of pepsi, tell them the brand of soda you want.

Remember, Seraiki DOES have dialects, but no matter where you speak it, even if you're from Multan and you are talking to somebody from Bahawalpur, and many parts of Haryana,India Faridabad, Gurugram, Sonipat they will understand you; it's only a slight difference.