ਵਾਹ

Punjabi

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ʋäː˦]

Interjection

ਵਾਹ • (vāh) (Shahmukhi spelling واہ)

1. an indication of excitement, surprise, astonishment, or pleasure
   • Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Amar Das, translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa, ang 515:

     ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਵੇਪਰਵਾਹੁ ਹੈ ਵਾਹੁ ਵਾਹੁ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਹੋਇ

     vāhu vāhu vepravāhu hai vāhu vāhu kare su hoi

     Amazing! Amazing! He is the self-existent Lord. Amazing! Amazing! As He wills, so it comes to pass.

2. An expression of amazement, awe, or admiration.

   ਵਾਹ, ਇਹਨਾ ਨੇ ਹਾਹ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਕੀਤਾ?

   vāh, ihanā ne hāh kivẽ kītā?

   Wow! How do they do that?

3. Used sarcastically to express disapproval of something.

   ਵਾਹ..., ਮੈਨੂੰ ਯਕੀਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਕਿ ਤੇਰੇ ਵਲੋਂ ਇਹ ਕੁਸ਼ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਸੀ.

   vāh..., mainū̃ yakīn nahī̃ hundā ki tere valõ iha kuś ho sakdā sī.

   Wow... I can't believe you would do such a thing.

Descendants

• Punjabi: ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ (vāhigurū)

References

• “ਵਾਹ”, in Punjabipedia [ਪੰਜਾਬੀਪੀਡੀਆ] (in Punjabi), Patiala: Punjabi University, 2024
• Singh, Bhai Maya (1895) “ਵਾਹ”, in The Panjabi Dictionary, Lahore: Munshi Gulab Singh and Sons.