सासूजीSasujiMother-in-law
Sasuji (सासूजी) is your mother-in-law — your spouse's mother — formed from saas plus the honorific -ji. A daughter-in-law and a son-in-law both use it for the mother of the person they married.
Who is your Sasuji?
No in-law relationship looms larger in Indian popular culture than saas-bahu: entire decades of television serials have run on the drama between a mother-in-law and the bride who joins her home. Behind the caricature is a real transfer of authority — traditionally the saas ran the kitchen, the festivals, and the family's rhythms, and the incoming bahu learned the house's ways from her. When the relationship works, it is one of mentorship that slowly matures into genuine mother-daughter affection.
How it's used
You refer to her as saas or Sasuji, but address her as Mummyji, Maaji, or simply Maa. For example: "मेरी सासूजी के हाथ का खाना पूरे मोहल्ले में मशहूर है" — "The food my sasuji (mother-in-law) cooks is famous across the neighbourhood."
Sasuji vs similar terms
Your saas is your spouse's mother; do not mix her up with your samdhan, who is your child's spouse's mother — the term your own parents use for her. Her husband is your sasur, and in Punjabi households you will hear Sass and Sohra for the same pair.
Frequently asked questions
What does Sasuji mean in Hindi?
Sasuji (सासूजी) means mother-in-law — the mother of your husband or wife. It combines saas with the respect suffix -ji, and is used by daughters-in-law and sons-in-law alike.
What is the difference between Saas and Samdhan?
A saas is your own spouse's mother. A samdhan is the mother of your child's spouse — it is what the two sets of parents call each other. One woman can be saas to you and samdhan to your parents at the same time.
Related terms
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