बहिनी
bahinī[bʌi̯ni]
The Nepali word for "younger sister" is बहिनी (bahinī).
बहिनी is used to refer to a biological younger sister, but it is also used as a friendly or affectionate way to address any girl or woman who is significantly younger than the speaker.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While बहिनी is the term for a younger sister, the specific term used for an elder sister is दिदी.
How do you pronounce it?
bahinī
Did you know?
- The word बहिनी shares the same ancient Sanskrit root as the English word 'sister', even though they sound nothing alike to a modern ear.
- If you are a man, addressing a woman as बहिनी creates a specific 'brother-sister' social dynamic that implies a respectful, non-romantic boundary in public.
- In some rural regions, बहिनी can be used as a term of endearment for a daughter-in-law, treating her as a younger sister to the family.
Examples in context
- मेरी बहिनी धेरै चलाख छिन्।meri bahini dherai chalak chin.My younger sister is very clever.
- तपाईंको बहिनी कति वर्षकी हुनुभयो?tapainko bahini kati varshaki hunubhayo?How old is your younger sister?
Example conversation
Anita and Avinash are talking about their families.
- अनीता Anitaतपाईंको बहिनी कति वर्षकी हुनुहुन्छ?Tapāī̃ko bahinī kati varṣakī hunuhuncha?How old is your younger sister?
- अविनाश Avinashमेरी बहिनी १० वर्षकी भइन्।Merī bahinī daś varṣakī bha-in.My younger sister turned ten.
- अनीता Anitaउनी धेरै प्यारी छिन् होला।Unī dhērai pyārī chin hōlā.She must be very sweet.
- अविनाश Avinashहो, मेरी बहिनी धेरै चञ्चल छिन्।Hō, merī bahinī dhērai cañcala chin.Yes, my younger sister is very playful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry बहिनी, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries बहिनी, CC BY-SA 4.0.
