Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| صاحِبَہ | sāhiba | feminine |
| مَیڈَم | maiḍam | feminine |
| بانُو | bānū | feminine |
| مَہِیلا | mahīlā | feminine |
In Urdu, several terms are used to say madam depending on the level of respect and the setting. صاحِبَہ is a respectful honorific used when addressing a woman directly or referring to her in formal settings, and it is often used alongside a woman's name. مَیڈَم is a transliterated loanword used to say madam. بانُو is used to address a lady with high respect, while مَہِیلا is a descriptive noun meaning woman.
What does it mean word for word?
The word صاحِبَہ is the feminine form of sāhib (sir/gentleman) and literally denotes a lady, mistress or owner.
Which one should you use?
While صاحِبَہ and مَیڈَم function as polite terms of address, مَہِیلا differs because it is a descriptive noun meaning 'woman' rather than a polite way to address someone. بانُو is more traditional and poetic than the other forms.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
صاحِبَہ is a formal way to address a woman. بانُو is used in highly respectful, traditional or literary contexts. In contrast, مَیڈَم is a common loanword frequently used in professional and English-medium environments in urban areas.
How do you pronounce it?
sāhiba
Did you know?
- The term صاحِبَہ is derived from Arabic, where it originally meant a companion or a female friend before evolving into a formal title of respect.
- While صاحِبَہ is the standard honorific, the word بانُو was historically used as a title for royal women and princesses in the Mughal Empire.
- While مَیڈَم is a direct loanword from English, it is often preferred in modern Pakistani offices over traditional Urdu honorifics to signal a Westernized, professional status.
Examples in context
- خاتون صاحِبَہ، کیا میں آپ کی مدد کر سکتا ہوں؟khatoon sahiba, kya mein aap ki madad kar sakta hoon?Madam, may I help you?
- آپ کی بات درست ہے، صاحِبَہ۔aap ki baat durust hai, sahiba.Your point is correct, madam.
Example conversation
Hamza is speaking to Zainab in an office.
- زینب Zainabجی حمزہ، بتائیے کیا کام ہے؟Ji Hamza, bataiye kya kaam hai?Yes Hamza, tell me what is the matter?
- حمزہ Hamzaصاحِبَہ، یہ رپورٹ آپ کے لیے ہے۔Sahiba, yeh report aap ke liye hai.Madam, this report is for you.
- زینب Zainabشکریہ، اسے میز پر رکھ دیں۔Shukriya, isay mez par rakh dein.Thank you, please put it on the table.
- حمزہ Hamzaجی صاحبہ، میں ابھی رکھتا ہوں۔Ji sahiba, main abhi rakhta hoon.Yes madam, I will put it there now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “madam” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
