The Gurmukhi vowel symbol “Bihari” (ੀ) represents the long “i” sound, as in the word “see.” It is an essential matra (vowel symbol) in Punjabi, helping form words with extended vowel sounds. Learning Bihari is crucial for reading, writing, and pronouncing Punjabi accurately.
What is Bihari?
Bihari (ੀ) is a matra added to the right of a consonant, elongating its inherent vowel to a long “i” sound. For example:
- ਕ + ੀ = ਕੀ (Ka + Bihari = Kee)
- ਗ + ੀ = ਗੀ (Ga + Bihari = Gee)
- ਪ + ੀ = ਪੀ (Pa + Bihari = Pee)
Practice Words with Bihari
Here is a list of commonly used Punjabi words featuring Bihari. Practice these words to become familiar with its usage.First try to guess the pronunciation and later look at the solution below.
| Punjabi Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ਦੀ | Of |
| ਮੀਠਾ | Sweet |
| ਬੀਜ | Seed |
| ਸਦੀ | Century |
| ਨੀਲ | Blue |
| ਪੀੜ | Pain |
| ਵੀਰ | Brother |
| ਤੀਰ | Arrow |
| ਬੀਮਾਰ | Sick |
| ਜੀਵ | Life |
| Punjabi Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ਦੀ | Dee | Of |
| ਮੀਠਾ | Meetha | Sweet |
| ਬੀਜ | Beej | Seed |
| ਸਦੀ | Sadee | Century |
| ਨੀਲ | Neel | Blue |
| ਪੀੜ | Peer | Pain |
| ਵੀਰ | Veer | Brother |
| ਤੀਰ | Teer | Arrow |
| ਬੀਮਾਰ | Beemaar | Sick |
| ਜੀਵ | Jeev | Life |
Tips for Practicing Bihari Words
- Practice Writing: Write the words repeatedly to master the placement of Bihari next to consonants.
- Focus on Pronunciation: Elongate the “i” sound naturally without overemphasizing.
- Combine with Consonants: Practice attaching Bihari to all Gurmukhi consonants (ਕ, ਖ, ਗ, etc.) for better familiarity.
- Use Flashcards: Create flashcards to remember the words and their meanings.
- Build Sentences: Practice forming sentences with Bihari words to enhance comprehension.
Example Sentences with Bihari
- ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਜਰੂਰਤ ਹੈ। (Paani dee jaroorat hai.) – Water is needed.
- ਵੀਰ ਬਾਹਰ ਖੇਡ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। (Veer baahar kheyd riha hai.) – Brother is playing outside.
- ਨੀਲ ਅਸਮਾਨ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਹੈ। (Neel asmaan sundar hai.) – The blue sky is beautiful.
Final Thoughts
Practicing Bihari is a vital step in mastering Punjabi pronunciation and script. Regularly practicing these words and sentences will help you gain confidence in using this important vowel symbol effectively. Incorporate these examples into your learning routine for better results.