സഹോദരി
sahōdari/sɐhoːd̪ɐɾi/
In Malayalam, 'sister' is translated as സഹോദരി (sahōdari). Wiktionary also lists ചേച്ചി (cēcci) and ഇത്ത (itta).
Meaning: woman or girl having the same parents (noun)
Ways to say it
| Malayalam | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| സഹോദരി | sahōdari | /sɐhoːd̪ɐɾi/ |
| ചേച്ചി | cēcci | /t͡ʃeːt͡ʃt͡ʃi/ |
| ഇത്ത | itta | /it̪t̪ɐ/ |
The term refers to a woman or girl having the same parents.
Which one should you use?
സഹോദരി is the general term for a sister. In contrast, ചേച്ചി is the common colloquial term used specifically for an elder sister. ഇത്ത is also a form provided for the concept of sister.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
സഹോദരി is the formal and literary term for sister used in writing or official contexts. ചേച്ചി is a colloquial term. In speech, ചേച്ചി is frequently used as a respectful way to address any woman who is older than the speaker, even if they are not biologically related.
How do you pronounce it?
sahōdari (/sɐhoːd̪ɐɾi/)
Did you know?
- The term ഇത്ത is a linguistic rarity in Malayalam, as it traces its roots back to the Arabic word for sister, أُخْت, reflecting historical maritime trade influences.
- The word സഹോദരി is often used in political or social activism to address women in a way that implies a sense of shared struggle or solidarity.
- If you were to address a woman who is significantly older than you, such as an aunt or a mother's age, you would likely switch from ചേച്ചി to a term like അമ്മായി instead.
Examples in context
- അവൾ എന്റെ മൂത്ത സഹോദരിയാണ്.She is my elder sister.This sentence shows how to use സഹോദരി to describe an elder sister.Tatoeba #781722 by jjrodz, translation #314333 by Alkrasnov
- എനിക്ക് രണ്ട് സഹോദരന്മാരും ഒരു സഹോദരിയും ഉണ്ട്.I have two brothers and a sister.This sentence uses സഹോദരി to indicate the number of sisters one has.Tatoeba #789566 by jjrodz, translation #453869 by saasmath
- എന്റെ സഹോദരി എല്ലാ ഞായറാഴ്ചയും അവളുടെ ചെരിപ്പുകള്‍ കഴുകും.My sister washes her shoes every Sunday.This sentence demonstrates the use of സഹോദരി in a daily activity context.Tatoeba #652318 by jjrodz, translation #245601 by Dejo
Example conversation
Vishnu and Lakshmi are talking about their families.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuനിനക്ക് സഹോദരി ഉണ്ടോ?Ninakku sahodari undo?Do you have a sister?
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഅതെ, എനിക്കൊരു സഹോദരിയുണ്ട്.Athe, enikkoru sahodariyundu.Yes, I have a sister.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഅവൾ എവിടെയാണ് പഠിക്കുന്നത്?Aval evideyaanu padhikkunnathu?Where is she studying?
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഎന്റെ സഹോദരി കോളേജിൽ പഠിക്കുന്നു.Ente sahodari college-il padhikkunnu.My sister is studying in college.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sister” translations and entries സഹോദരി, ചേച്ചി, ഇത്ത, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ഇത്ത, ചേച്ചി, സഹോദരി, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
