ਭਤੀਜੀ
bhatiji
In Punjabi, the word for niece is ਭਤੀਜੀ (bhatiji).
The term is used to refer specifically to a niece who is the daughter of one's brother.
Meaning: fraternal or sororal niece (noun)
Which one should you use?
While English uses the general term 'niece' for any sibling's daughter, Punjabi distinguishes between maternal and paternal lines.
How do you pronounce it?
bhatiji
Did you know?
- If you are referring to the daughter of your sister, you cannot use ਭਤੀਜੀ. Instead, you must use the word ਭਾਣਜੀ (bhanji).
- In many Punjabi-speaking households, a person might call their niece 'beti' (daughter) as a term of endearment, regardless of the technical term ਭਤੀਜੀ.
- While ਭਤੀਜੀ is the technical term for a brother's daughter, many Punjabi speakers use these specific kinship terms to define social obligations and inheritance rights.
Examples in context
- ਮੇਰੀ ਭਤੀਜੀ ਨੇ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਦਿੱਤੀਆਂ।My niece gave her congratulations.
- ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਭਤੀਜੀ ਹੈ।oh merī bhatījī hai.She is my niece.
- ਮੇਰੀ ਭਤੀਜੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੋਹਣੀ ਹੈ।merī bhatījī bahut sōhṇī hai.My niece is very beautiful.
Example conversation
Two relatives are talking about a child at a family gathering.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਕੀ ਇਹ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਭਤੀਜੀ ਹੈ?kī eh tuhāḍī bhatījī hai?Is this your niece?
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਭਤੀਜੀ ਹੈ।hāṅ, eh merī piārī bhatījī hai.Yes, she is my dear niece.
- ਅਮਨ Amanਉਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਪਿਆਰੀ ਲੱਗਦੀ ਹੈ।oh bahut piārī lagdī hai.She looks very lovely.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਧੰਨਵਾਦ, ਅਮਨ!dhannavād, Aman!Thank you, Aman!
