ਭੈਣBhainSister
Bhain (ਭੈਣ) means sister in Punjabi — a female sibling, whether older or younger. Like bhra for brothers, the word also embraces girl cousins, who are spoken of as sisters rather than cousins.
Who is your Bhain?
A sister in a Punjabi family stays tied to her brothers for life, even after she marries into another village or city. Festivals keep the thread alive: at Rakhri she ties the sacred thread on her brother's wrist, and at Teeyan married sisters traditionally returned to their parents' home to celebrate together. Her children become bhanja and bhanji, relations Punjabi treats with particular tenderness.
How it's used
Speakers refer to a sister as bhain and address an elder sister as Bhainji; a younger sister is called by name. The word also serves as a respectful address for unrelated women. Example: "ਮੇਰੀ ਭੈਣ ਦਾ ਵਿਆਹ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ" (Meri bhain da viah Amritsar hoya hai) — "My sister is married in Amritsar."
Where Bhain comes from
Bhain comes from the Sanskrit bhaginī, 'sister', the same root behind bhanja and bhanji (a sister's children).
Bhain vs similar terms
Keep bhain (your sister) separate from bharjai (your brother's wife) and nanad (your husband's sister) — English blurs all three into "sister" or "sister-in-law," but Punjabi never does. Cousin-sisters take prefixes: chacheri, mameri, phupheri, or maseri bhain.
Did you know?
Every year at Rakhri, a bhain ties a thread on her brother's wrist and he renews a vow of lifelong protection.
Frequently asked questions
What does Bhain mean in Punjabi?
Bhain (ਭੈਣ) means sister. It is the standard Punjabi word for a female sibling of any age and extends to female cousins, who are counted as sisters in Punjabi kinship.
What is the difference between Bhain and Bhainji?
Bhain is the plain noun for sister. Bhainji adds the honorific ji and is used to address an elder sister respectfully — and, by courtesy, other women of similar standing.
Related terms
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