அண்ணி
aṇṇi/ɐɳːiː/
அண்ணி (aṇṇi) is the Tamil term for vadina (elder brother's wife).
This phrase is used to refer to a woman who is the wife of one's elder brother.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is aṇṇi. The IPA is /ɐɳːiː/.
Did you know?
- In some Tamil speaking regions, using the term அண்ணி can be a way to show respect to a woman who is not actually related to you but is the wife of a close friend who is like an elder brother.
- Because Tamil kinship is strictly hierarchical, the title அண்ணி cannot be used for the wife of a younger brother, even if she is much older than the speaker.
- In traditional Tamil culture, an அண்ணி is often viewed as a second mother figure, and the relationship is characterized by a blend of respect and playful affection.
Examples in context
- என் அண்ணி மிகவும் அன்பானவர்.en aṇṇi mikavum aṉpāṉavar.My sister-in-law is very kind.
- அண்ணி, எனக்கு ஒரு உதவி செய்ய முடியுமா?aṇṇi, eṉakku oru utavi seyya muṭiyumā?Sister-in-law, can you do me a favor?
- அண்ணி இப்போது சமையல் செய்கிறார்.aṇṇi ippōtu camaiyal ceykiṟār.Sister-in-law is cooking now.
Example conversation
Divya and Arun are talking about a family gathering.
- திவ்யா Divyaஅருண், அண்ணி எப்போது வருவார்?Arun, anni eppodhu varuvaar?Arun, when will your elder brother's wife arrive?
- அருண் Arunஅவர்கள் நாளை காலை வருவார்கள்.Avargal naalai kaalai varuvaargal.They will arrive tomorrow morning.
- திவ்யா Divyaஅண்ணிக்கு என்ன பரிசு வாங்கலாம்?Annikku enna parisu vaangalaam?What gift can we buy for your elder brother's wife?
- அருண் Arunஅவருக்கு புத்தகங்கள் மிகவும் பிடிக்கும்.Avarukku puthagangal migavum pidikkum.She likes books very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry அண்ணி, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
