بہن
bahannoun
In Pakistan, "sister" in Urdu is بہن (bahan). For an older sister, people usually say باجی (bājī) or آپا (āpā), which are also respectful ways to address any older woman.
Meaning: female sibling (noun)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بہن | bahan | noun |
| باجی | bājī | elder sister |
| آپا | āpā | elder sister |
A sibling is introduced as میری بہن (merī bahan), "my sister". A younger sister is addressed by name, while the elder sister gets باجی (bājī) or آپا (āpā).
When do people say it?
Calling a woman بہن جی (bahan jī) is a polite way to speak to a woman who is not a relative, much like "ma'am".
Did you know?
- Elder siblings are given a title instead of a name in many Pakistani homes, so a girl may call her older sister باجی (bājī) for life.
Examples in context
- یہ میری بہن ہے۔yeh merī bahan hai.This is my sister.
- باجی کھانا لگا رہی ہیں۔bājī khānā lagā rahī haiṉ.My elder sister is serving the food.
- آپا، میری مدد کریں۔āpā, merī madad kareṉ.Elder sister, please help me.
Example conversation
Younger brother Hassan asks his elder sister Fatima for help with homework.
- Hassanآپا، یہ سوال سمجھائیں۔āpā, yeh sawāl samjhāeṉ.Elder sister, please explain this question.
- Fatimaادھر آؤ، دکھاؤ۔idhar āo, dikhāo.Come here, show me.
- Hassanشکریہ، میری پیاری بہن۔shukriya, merī pyārī bahan.Thanks, my dear sister.
