بھابھی
bhabhi
The Urdu word for sister-in-law is بھابھی (bhabhi).
بھابھی refers specifically to the wife of one's brother. It is also used as a respectful way to address a woman who is slightly older than yourself.
Which one should you use?
To specify the age of the sister-in-law, you can use بڑی بھابھی for an elder sister-in-law or چھوٹی بھابھی for a younger sister-in-law.
How do you pronounce it?
bhabhi
Did you know?
- In traditional Urdu culture, the relationship between a بھابھی and her husband's younger brother is often characterized by a playful and teasing dynamic known as 'nok-jhonk'.
- In many Pakistani and Indian households, the بھابھی often serves as a confidential bridge and mediator between the husband and the wife to resolve domestic disputes.
- In some regional dialects influenced by Urdu, a woman might call her husband's sister a different term entirely, meaning the English 'sister-in-law' covers a much wider range of distinct Urdu words than one might expect.
Examples in context
- میری بھابھی بہت اچھی ہیں۔meri bhabhi bohat achi hain.My sister-in-law is very kind.
- کیا آپ کی بھابھی یہاں ہیں؟kya aap ki bhabhi yahan hain?Is your sister-in-law here?
- بھابھی نے کھانا بہت لذیذ بنایا ہے۔bhabhi ne khana bohat lazeez banaya hai.Sister-in-law has made very delicious food.
Example conversation
Sarah and Umar are discussing a family gathering.
- سارہ Saraعمر، کیا تمہاری بھابھی بھی آئے گی؟umar, kya tumhari bhabhi bhi aaye gi?Umar, will your sister-in-law also come?
- عمر Omarہاں، میری بھابھی ضرور آئیں گی۔haan, meri bhabhi zaroor aayen gi.Yes, my sister-in-law will definitely come.
- سارہ Saraیہ تو بہت اچھی بات ہے۔yeh to bohat achi baat hai.That is very good news.
- عمر Omarمیں اسے ابھی بتا دیتا ہوں۔mein usay abhi bata deta hoon.I will tell her right now.
