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Emphasis

There are several words that can be used to add emphasis. The exact meaning of these words is difficult to translate as there are no English equivalents used in the exact same way.

ਹੀ (just): The meaning of ਹੀ is close to “just” or “only” and can be used to emphasize something is “just as” described

ਅਸੀਂ ਹੁਣੇ ਹੀ ਵਾਪਸ ਆਏ ਹਾਂ
asī(n) huṇē hī vāpas āē hā(n)
We’ll be back just (in a moment)

ਉਹ ਨੇ ਮੇਰੇ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲ ਹੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤੀ
uh nē mērē nāl gall hī nahī(n) kītī
He/she just didn’t talk to me

ਮੈਂ ਸਕੂਲ ਹੀ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ ਅੱਜ
mae(n) sakūl hī giā sī ajj
I just went to school today

ਉਹ ਨੇ ਦੋ ਮਿੰਟ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਕਿਹਾ ਸੀ
uh nē do minṭṭ pahilā(n) hī kihā sī
He/she just said it two minutes ago

ਵੀ (also): ਵੀ can be translated to “also” or “too” and is used to emphasize the inclusion of something

ਸਾਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਦੱਸ ਦਿਓ
sānū(n) vī dass dio
Tell us also

ਇਹ ਗੱਲ ਮੈਂ ਵੀ ਸੁਣੀ ਸੀ
ih gall mae(n) vī suṇī sī
I heard this too

ਤੁਸੀਂ ਵੀ ਨਾਲ ਜਾਣਾ ਚਾਹੁੰਦੇ ਹੋ?
tusī(n) vī nāl jāṇā chāhunddē ho?
You (respectful / plural) want to go also?

ਉਹ ਅਜੇ ਵੀ ਓਥੇ ਹੀ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ
uh ajē vī othē hī rahinddā hae
He still lives there

ਤਾਂ tā(n) : The word ਤਾਂ tā(n) has no English equivalent, but is used to highlight or emphasize that something is a particular way (and not some other way). In some dialects, this word is spelled as ਤੇ and is used differently from ਤਾਂ tā(n) (thus).

ਮੈਂ ਤਾਂ ਸਵੇਰੇ ਜਾਊਂਗਾ
mae(n) tā(n) savērē jāūngā
I (masculine) will go tomorrow go tomorrow

The emphasis here highlights that whoever is speaking will go specifically tomorrow morning as opposed to any other time they could go

ਇਹ ਤਾਂ ਰੋਜ ਲੜਾਈ ਛੇੜਦਾ ਹੈ
ih tā(n) roj laṛāī chhēṛadā hae
He picks a fight everyday

The emphasis here highlights that the people being talked about picks a fight everyday as opposed to it being a unique occurance

ਅਜੇ ਤਾਂ ਕੋਈ ਆਇਆ ਨਹੀਂ
ajē tā(n) koī āiā nahī(n)
No one has come yet

The emphasis here highlights that no one has come specifically as of yet, but someone may come at a later point in time

ਉਹ ਤਾਂ ਕੁੱਝ ਵੀ ਆਪੇ ਸਿੱਖ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ
uh tā(n) kujjh vī āpē sikkh sakadā hae
He can learn anything on his own

The emphasis here highlights that the particular person being talked about is special and specifically they can learn anything on their own as opposed to anyone else

ਜ਼ਰਾ zarā (a little): The word ਜ਼ਰਾ zarā literally means “a little”, but can also be used to make a mild suggestion or request

ਜ਼ਰਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਾਲ ਸੁਣੋ
zarā dhiān nāl suṇo
Listen a bit attentively

ਜ਼ਰਾ ਹੌਲੀ ਬੋਲੋ
zarā haulī bolo
Speak a bit quietly

ਜ਼ਰਾ ਸੋਚੋ, ਉਹ ਕਿਉਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਇਆ?
zarā socho, uh kiu(n) nahī(n) āiā?
Think a little, why hasn’t he come?