നാത്തൂൻ
naathoon
The English phrase "sister-in-law" is translated into Malayalam as നാത്തൂൻ (naathoon).
നാത്തൂൻ is used to refer to the sister of one's spouse.
How do you pronounce it?
naathoon
Did you know?
- Malayalam kinship terminology is so precise that it distinguishes between a sister-in-law from the paternal side and one from the maternal side.
- Depending on the social context, a person might avoid using the word നാത്തൂൻ directly to her face, instead using a term for 'elder sister' to show respect.
- The term നാത്തൂൻ is a linguistic relative of the Tamil word நாத்தனார், meaning the two languages share a common historical root for this specific family relation.
Example conversation
Lakshmi and Rahul are discussing family members at a tea shop.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiരാഹുൽ, നിന്റെ നാത്തൂൻ എവിടെ?Rahul, ninte naathoon evide?Rahul, where is your sister-in-law?
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅവൾ ഇപ്പോൾ വീട്ടിലുണ്ട്.aval ippol veettilundu.She is at home now.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഅവൾക്ക് സുഖമാണോ?aval kku sukhamano?Is she doing well?
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅതെ, അവൾക്ക് സുഖമാണ്.athe, aval kku sukhamannu.Yes, she is doing well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries നാത്തൂൻ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
