In Punjabi, an action can be expressed as a possibility (were to happen) or as a wish (may it happen) by changing the ending of a verb according to the following patterns.
Person | Number | Subject | karanā | English |
First | Singular | mae(n) | karā(n) | Were I to do May I do |
Plural | asī(n) | karīē | Were we to do May we do | |
Second | Singular, informal | tū(n) | karē(n) | Were you to do May you do |
Plural / respectful | tusī(n) | karo(n) | Were you to do May you do | |
Third near | Singular, informal | ih, | karē | Were he/she/it to do May he/she/it do |
Plural / respectful | ih | karan | Were they to do May they do | |
Third far | Singular, informal | uh | karē | Were he/she/it to do May he/she/it do |
Plural / respectful | uh | karan | Were they to do May they do |
Note that this form cannot literally be translated into English so try to understand the context in which it is used.
is tarhā(n) hī mae(n) mahinat karadā rahā(n)
May I continue working hard
jivē(n) mae(n) supanā dēkh rahī hovā(n)
As if I were watching a dream
khatam karāngē, asī(n) anddaro(n) bhāvē(n) thakkē hoīē
(We) will finish, even if we be tired on the inside
tusī(n) sārē saphal hovo(n)
May you all be successful
asī(n) ās karadē hā(n) ki uh jittē
We hope he/she wins
ho sakadā hae ki uh vī panjjābī samajhadē hoṇ
It could be they also understand Punjabi