ਜਵਾਈJawaiSon-in-law
Jawai (ਜਵਾਈ) is your son-in-law — your daughter's husband. In Punjabi homes the word is almost synonymous with honored guest.
How your Jawai connects to you
Who is your Jawai?
Punjabi hospitality reaches its ceremonial peak when the Jawai visits: he is the prahuna par excellence, served first, given the best bed, and rarely allowed to lift a finger, because honoring him honors the daughter whose happiness now rests with his family. The custom cuts both ways — a Jawai is expected to show lifelong respect to his Sahura and Sass. The phrase ghar-jawai names the rarer arrangement where a son-in-law lives with his wife's parents.
How it's used
The wife's parents and relatives say "saada jawai" — our son-in-law — and in traditional families he may be honored as Jawai ji even in address. Example: "Saada jawai bahut layak munda hai" — "Our son-in-law is a very capable young man."
Where Jawai comes from
Jawai (damaad) comes from the Sanskrit jāmātṛ, 'son-in-law'.
Jawai vs similar terms
Jawai is the male counterpart of Nooh, the daughter-in-law, but the two live opposite customs: the Nooh traditionally moves into her in-laws' home and shares its daily work, while the Jawai stays a visiting dignitary in his. The same man is a Jija or Bhanoia to his wife's siblings.
Did you know?
A jawai is treated as an honoured guest for life — the phrase 'jawai raja' (son-in-law prince) sums up the pampering he receives at his in-laws'.
Frequently asked questions
What does Jawai mean in Punjabi?
Jawai (ਜਵਾਈ) means son-in-law — your daughter's husband. Punjabi custom treats the Jawai as a guest of honor whenever he visits his wife's parental home.
What is a ghar-jawai?
A ghar-jawai is a son-in-law who lives in his wife's parents' home instead of taking her to his own — historically uncommon in Punjab and done, for example, when a couple had no sons.
Related terms
Build your family tree with Jawai on it
Add real family members and see exactly how each kinship term maps to your relatives.
Start building — free