سالا
sala
The Urdu word for brother-in-law is سالا (sala).
سالا refers to the brother of one's spouse. However, it is often used as a mild slang insult or an expression of frustration, similar to calling someone a jerk or bastard in English, depending on the tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple brothers-in-law (the spouse's brothers), use the plural form سالے.
How do you pronounce it?
sala
Did you know?
- Urdu distinguishes between the brother of a wife سالا and the brother of a husband, who is called دیور if younger or جٹھ if older.
- Because of its use as a slang term, many formal Urdu speakers will avoid using the word سالا even when actually referring to their true brother-in-law to prevent any ambiguity.
- Depending on the tone, سالا can shift from a harsh insult to a term of endearment or playful teasing between close male friends.
Examples in context
- وہ میرا سالا ہے۔woh mera saala hai.He is my brother-in-law.
- میرا سالا بہت مہربان ہے۔mera saala bohat meharban hai.My brother-in-law is very kind.
- کیا آپ کا سالا یہاں آئے گا؟kya aap ka saala yahan aaye ga?Will your brother-in-law come here?
Example conversation
Fatima is telling Hamza about her family visit.
- فاطمہ Fatimaمیرا سالا کل ہمارے گھر آئے گا۔Mera sala kal hamare ghar aaye ga.My brother-in-law will come to our house tomorrow.
- حمزہ Hamzaیہ تو بہت اچھی بات ہے۔Yeh toh bohat achi baat hai.That is a very good thing.
- فاطمہ Fatimaوہ اپنے سالا کے لیے تحفہ لایا ہے۔Woh apne sala ke liye tohfa laya hai.He has brought a gift for his brother-in-law.
- حمزہ Hamzaوہ بہت خیال رکھنے والا ہے۔Woh bohat khayal rakhne wala hai.He is very caring.
