farnu
The Mizo word for sister is farnu.
farnu is used to refer to a woman or girl who has the same parents as another person.
Meaning: woman or girl having the same parents (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of fa, meaning child and nu, meaning woman or female.
Did you know?
- In Mizo society, farnu is often used to address close female friends or peers, effectively treating them as sisters regardless of biological relation.
- A Mizo speaker rarely addresses their own sister as farnu in conversation, preferring instead terms that specify the sister's relative age or birth order.
- While farnu is the standard term, Mizo kinship is so precise that the specific title used for a sister changes based on whether she is older or younger.
Examples in context
- Ka farnu hi a hmeltha hle.My sister is very beautiful.
- Tanu chu ka farnu a ni.Tanu is my sister.
- I farnu hi eng nge a hming?What is your sister's name?
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking at home.
- HnuniTluanga, i farnu kha khawi nge a awm?Tluanga, where is your sister?
- TluangaKa farnu chu khawmah a awm ang.My sister is probably in the village.
- HnuniA lo kal tawh em?Has she come back yet?
- TluangaA lo kal tawh lova.She hasn't come back yet.
