ਜੀਜਾ
jeeja
The English phrase "brother-in-law" is translated into Punjabi as ਜੀਜਾ (jeeja).
The term ਜੀਜਾ refers specifically to the husband of one's sister.
Which one should you use?
While ਜੀਜਾ refers to a sister's husband, the term ਸਾਲਾ is used to refer to a spouse's brother.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is jeeja. The 'j' sounds are soft, similar to the 'j' in 'judge' and the 'ee' is a long vowel sound as in 'see'.
Did you know?
- While ਜੀਜਾ is a term of great respect, the word ਸਾਲਾ is frequently used as a mild insult or a slang term for 'idiot' when not referring to a relative.
- In many Punjabi-speaking households, these titles are used as names themselves when addressing the person directly, rather than using their actual given name.
- Punjabi kinship terms are so precise that there are different words for a brother-in-law depending on whether he is older or younger than the speaker's sibling.
Examples in context
- ਮੇਰਾ ਜੀਜਾ ਬਹੁਤ ਚੰਗਾ ਹੈ।merā jījā bahut caṅgā hai.My brother-in-law is very good.
- ਜੀਜਾ ਕੀ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ?jījā kī kara rihā hai?What is the brother-in-law doing?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a family gathering.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕੀ ਤੇਰਾ ਜੀਜਾ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ?kī tērā jījā ā rihā hai?Is your brother-in-law coming?
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਾਂ, ਜੀਜਾ ਅੱਜ ਸ਼ਾਮ ਨੂੰ ਆਵੇਗਾ।hāṅ, jījā ajja śāma nū āvēgā.Yes, brother-in-law will come this evening.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਜ਼ਾਕੀਆ ਹੈ।ūha bahut mazākīā hai.He is very funny.
- ਪ੍ਰੀਤ Preetਹਾਂ, ਉਹ ਸਭ ਨੂੰ ਹਸਾਉਂਦਾ ਹੈ।hāṅ, ūha saba nū hasāundā hai.Yes, he makes everyone laugh.
