بوڑھی عورت
būṛhī aurat
In Urdu, the phrase for old lady is بوڑھی عورت (būṛhī aurat).
بوڑھی عورت is used to describe an elderly woman. While it is a descriptive way to identify an old lady, calling someone بوڑھی عورت directly to their face can be perceived as blunt or slightly disrespectful in Urdu culture.
Meaning: informal: elderly woman (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective بوڑھی, meaning old or aged and the noun عورت, meaning woman.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
بوڑھی عورت is an informal way to refer to an elderly woman. For a more respectful and formal way to say elderly lady, use بزرگ خاتون.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the phrase is بوڑھی عورتیں.
How do you pronounce it?
būṛhī aurat
Did you know?
- The word عورت comes from an Arabic term meaning 'nudity' or 'genitals'. It shifted to mean 'woman' because of ancient cultural norms regarding the modesty of the female body.
- In Urdu culture, it is common to address an elderly woman as امی ('mother') or دادی ('paternal grandmother') even if she is a total stranger.
- Urdu incorporates a complex system of honorifics where the verb ending changes based on whether the 'old lady' is being spoken to or about.
Examples in context
- وہ ایک بوڑھی عورت ہے۔Woh aik boorhi aurat hai.She is an old lady.
- بوڑھی عورت سڑک پار کر رہی ہے۔Boorhi aurat sarak paar kar rahi hai.The old lady is crossing the road.
- میں نے ایک بوڑھی عورت کی مدد کی۔Mein ne aik boorhi aurat ki madad ki.I helped an old lady.
Example conversation
Fatima and Hamza are walking in a park.
- فاطمہ Fatimaحمزہ، اس بوڑھی عورت کو دیکھو۔Hamza, is budhi aurat ko dekho.Hamza, look at this old lady.
- حمزہ Hamzaہاں، وہ بہت پیاری لگ رہی ہیں۔Haan, woh bohat pyari lag rahi hain.Yes, she looks very lovely.
- فاطمہ Fatimaکیا ہم ان کی مدد کریں؟Kya hum un ki madad karein?Should we help her?
- حمزہ Hamzaجی ہاں، چلو ان کے پاس چلتے ہیں۔Ji haan, chalo un ke paas chalte hain.Yes, let's go to her.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بوڑھی, عورت, CC BY-SA 4.0.
