மைத்துனன்
maithunan
The Tamil phrase மைத்துனன் (maithunan) translates to.
மைத்துனன் is used to refer to a man who is the brother of one's spouse, specifically translating to.
Which one should you use?
While மைத்துனன் is the standard term, you may encounter Machan as an informal way to address a brother-in-law. Additionally, the term Thambi is used to specifically refer to a younger brother-in-law.
How do you pronounce it?
maithunan
Did you know?
- While maithunan is the formal term, the informal version machan has evolved into a general slang term for 'buddy' or 'mate' among male friends in Tamil Nadu and Singapore.
- Tamil has a highly specific system of kinship where different words are used for a brother-in-law depending on whether he is the husband's brother or the wife's brother.
- If you use the term machan with a stranger in a professional setting, it might be perceived as jarringly informal or even disrespectful, despite its popularity in songs.
Examples in context
- அவர் என் மைத்துனன்.avar en maithunan.He is my brother-in-law.
- என் மைத்துனன் ஒரு மருத்துவர்.en maithunan oru maruthuvar.My brother-in-law is a doctor.
Example conversation
Arun and Priya are talking about family members.
- அருண் Arunபிரியா, உன் மைத்துனன் எங்கே?Priya, un maithunan enge?Priya, where is your brother-in-law?
- பிரியா Priyaஅவர் இப்போது வேலையில் இருக்கிறார்.avar ippothu velaiyil irukkirar.He is at work now.
- அருண் Arunஅவர் எப்போது வருவார்?avar eppothu varuvaar?When will he come?
- பிரியா Priyaஅவர் மாலை வருவார்.avar maalai varuvaar.He will come in the evening.
