Learning English Vocabulary for competitive exams can often feel boring and repetitive. But what if you could learn new words through an interesting story? In this unique approach, we combine storytelling with vocabulary building to make your preparation more engaging and effective. This story is based on the religious and cultural background of 16th-century Punjab , focusing on the early days of Sikhism and the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji — a spiritual leader and great diplomat who spread the message of peace, equality, and truth across the land.
As you read the story, you’ll come across 10 important English words that are frequently used in competitive exams. Each word is carefully placed in context so you can understand its meaning naturally. At the end of the story, you will find a clear table listing each word along with its meaning in English and Punjabi , helping you remember and revise easily. This method not only improves your vocabulary but also enhances your reading comprehension — both crucial skills for exams like UPSC, PCS, SSC CGL, CHSL, CPO, and Punjab Patwari .
Table of Contents
Story: The Light of the Guru
In the 16th century, Punjab was a land full of different beliefs. People followed many customs and religions. But during this time, a great teacher named Guru Nanak Dev Ji appeared. He taught people the way of truth, love, and equality.
At that time, many leaders wanted to destroy (ਨੂੰ ਤਬਾਹ ਕਰਨਾ) the new ideas of the Guru. They thought his teachings would make their power less important. They tried to depreciate (ਘਟਾਉਣਾ) the value of his message by calling it wrong or useless.
But the Guru did not feel despair (ਹਤਾਸ਼). He traveled across India and even to far places to spread his message. His journey was very difficult (ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ), but he never gave up.
Once, some people came to him with a problem. A village had fallen into darkness because of fear and lies. The Guru listened carefully and could easily diagnose (ਦਸਖਣਾ) the real cause — greed and selfishness.
He told them that fear comes when we forget God. He said that no devil (ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ) can harm those who believe in truth and do good work.
To help people remember God, he made a simple device (ਯੰਤਰ) — a morning prayer called Japji Sahib . This prayer helped people start their day with peace and strength.
The Guru also met many kings and leaders. He talked to them like a wise diplomat (ਰਾਜਦੂਤ). He asked them to rule with kindness and fairness.
One king felt disgraceful (ਸ਼ਰਮਸਾਰ) after listening to the Guru. He realized he had been cruel to his people. He promised to change.
As the Guru walked back home one evening, the sun began to descend (ਹੇਠਾਂ ਆਉਣਾ) behind the hills. He smiled, knowing that the light of truth would always shine, even when darkness comes.
English Vocabulary List (With Meanings & Sentences)
- Depreciate
- Meaning (English): To reduce the value of something
- Meaning (Punjabi): ਕਿਸੇ ਚੀਜ਼ ਦੀ ਕੀਮਤ ਘਟਾਉਣਾ
- Sentence (English): The shopkeeper tried to depreciate the old car.
- Sentence (Punjabi): ਵਪਾਰੀ ਨੇ ਪੁਰਾਣੀ ਕਾਰ ਦੀ ਕੀਮਤ ਘਟਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕੀਤੀ।
- Descend
- Meaning (English): To come or go down from a high place
- Meaning (Punjabi): ਉੱਚੀ ਥਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਆਉਣਾ
- Sentence (English): The sun began to descend in the evening.
- Sentence (Punjabi): ਸ਼ਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਸੂਰਜ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਆਉਣਾ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ।
- Despair
- Meaning (English): Loss of all hope
- Meaning (Punjabi): ਸਭ ਉਮੀਦਾਂ ਖਤਮ ਹੋ ਜਾਣਾ
- Sentence (English): She felt despair when she could not find her bag.
- Sentence (Punjabi): ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੀ ਬੈਗ ਨਾ ਮਿਲਣ ‘ਤੇ ਹਤਾਸ਼ਾ ਹੋਈ।
- Destroy
- Meaning (English): To break completely or end something
- Meaning (Punjabi): ਪੂਰੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਤਬਾਹ ਕਰਨਾ
- Sentence (English): Heavy rain destroyed many crops.
- Sentence (Punjabi): ਭਾਰੀ ਬਾਰਿਸ਼ ਨੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਫਸਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਤਬਾਹ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ।
- Device
- Meaning (English): A tool or machine made for a special purpose
- Meaning (Punjabi): ਕਿਸੇ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ ਮਕਸਦ ਲਈ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ ਯੰਤਰ
- Sentence (English): He used a device to measure his temperature.
- Sentence (Punjabi): ਉਸ ਨੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਤਾਪਮਾਨ ਮਾਪਣ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਯੰਤਰ ਦੀ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਕੀਤੀ।
- Devil
- Meaning (English): An evil spirit or being
- Meaning (Punjabi): ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ, ਬੁਰਾਈ ਦੀ ਆਤਮਾ
- Sentence (English): Some people wrongly blame the devil for their mistakes.
- Sentence (Punjabi): ਕੁੱਝ ਲੋਕ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਗਲਤੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਗਲਤੀ ਨਾਲ ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ ਨੂੰ ਦੋਸ਼ੀ ਠਹਿਰਾਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ।
- Diagnose
- Meaning (English): To find out the cause of an illness or problem
- Meaning (Punjabi): ਇੱਕ ਬਿਮਾਰੀ ਜਾਂ ਸਮੱਸਿਆ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਪਤਾ ਕਰਨਾ
- Sentence (English): The doctor diagnosed his fever quickly.
- Sentence (Punjabi): ਡਾਕਟਰ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਬੁਖਾਰ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਜਲਦੀ ਪਤਾ ਲਗਾ ਲਿਆ।
- Difficult
- Meaning (English): Not easy; needing more effort
- Meaning (Punjabi): ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ, ਆਸਾਨ ਨਹੀਂ
- Sentence (English): Learning new words can be difficult at first.
- Sentence (Punjabi): ਨਵੇਂ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਸਿੱਖਣਾ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
- Diplomat
- Meaning (English): A person who helps countries talk and solve problems
- Meaning (Punjabi): ਦੇਸ਼ਾਂ ਵਿਚਾਲੇ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ
- Sentence (English): She works as a diplomat for her country.
- Sentence (Punjabi): ਉਹ ਆਪਣੇ ਦੇਸ਼ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਰਾਜਦੂਤ ਵਜੋਂ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ।
- Disgraceful
- Meaning (English): Causing shame or dishonor
- Meaning (Punjabi): ਸ਼ਰਮਸਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ
- Sentence (English): It was disgraceful how he treated the poor man.
- Sentence (Punjabi): ਗਰੀਬ ਆਦਮੀ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਵਰਤਾਓ ਸ਼ਰਮਸਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਸੀ।
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Vocabulary Table (With Meanings & Simple Sentences)
| Word | Meaning in English | Meaning in Punjabi | Sentence in English | Sentence in Punjabi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depreciate | To reduce value | ਕੀਮਤ ਘਟਾਉਣਾ | He tried to depreciate her idea. | ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਸਦੇ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਨੂੰ ਘਟਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕੀਤੀ। |
| Descend | To come down | ਹੇਠਾਂ ਆਉਣਾ | Birds descend when they see food. | ਪੰਛੀ ਹੇਠਾਂ ਆ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਜਦੋਂ ਉਹ ਭੋਜਨ ਦੇਖਦੇ ਹਨ। |
| Despair | Loss of hope | ਉਮੀਦ ਖਤਮ ਹੋਣਾ | She felt despair after losing the match. | ਮੈਚ ਹਾਰਨ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਹਤਾਸ਼ਾ ਹੋਈ। |
| Destroy | To break completely | ਤਬਾਹ ਕਰਨਾ | Floods destroyed many houses. | ਹੜ੍ਹ ਨੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਘਰ ਤਬਾਹ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ। |
| Device | A tool or machine | ਯੰਤਰ | This device helps us measure water. | ਇਹ ਯੰਤਰ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਪਾਣੀ ਮਾਪਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ। |
| Devil | An evil spirit | ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ | Some people fear the devil more than God. | ਕੁੱਝ ਲੋਕ ਸ਼ੈਤਾਨ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਪਰਮੇਸ਼ੁਰ ਤੋਂ ਡਰਦੇ ਹਨ। |
| Diagnose | To find the cause of a problem | ਕਾਰਨ ਪਤਾ ਕਰਨਾ | The doctor diagnosed his pain quickly. | ਡਾਕਟਰ ਨੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਦਰਦ ਦਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਜਲਦੀ ਪਤਾ ਲਗਾ ਲਿਆ। |
| Difficult | Not easy | ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ | It is difficult to learn without focus. | ਫੋਕਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾਂ ਸਿੱਖਣਾ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਹੈ। |
| Diplomat | A person who solves problems | ਰਾਜਦੂਤ | He became a diplomat for peace. | ਉਹ ਅਮਨ ਲਈ ਇੱਕ ਰਾਜਦੂਤ ਬਣ ਗਿਆ। |
| Disgraceful | Causing shame | ਸ਼ਰਮਸਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ | His actions were disgraceful. | ਉਸ ਦੇ ਕੰਮ ਸ਼ਰਮਸਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ |
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Learning new English words doesn’t have to be boring. By using stories and simple sentences, you can remember vocabulary easily and use it confidently in exams. The 10 words you learned today — like Depreciate , Devil , Device , and Diplomat — are not only important for competitive exams but also useful in daily life.
We hope this method helped you understand the meanings clearly and remember them longer. Keep practicing with such story-based learning to improve your language skills and boost your exam preparation.
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