ਸੱਸ ਜੀSassjiMother-in-law
Sassji (ਸੱਸ ਜੀ) is your mother-in-law — the mother of your husband or wife. Sass is the plain form; adding -ji gives the respectful version every Punjabi household expects.
How your Sassji connects to you
Who is your Sassji?
No in-law looms larger in Punjabi popular culture than the Sass. Because a bride traditionally moved into her husband's family home, the Sass ran the household the new Nooh entered, and generations of giddha boliyan — the teasing folk couplets women sing at weddings — poke fun at the tug-of-war between the two. Behind the jokes sits a real transfer of authority, as the Sass gradually hands the keys of the kitchen to the next generation.
How it's used
Like Sahura, Sass is used about the person rather than to her; daughters- and sons-in-law typically address her as Mummy ji or Bibi ji. In conversation you will hear: "Meri sass ji bahut vadiya khana banaundi ne" — "My mother-in-law cooks wonderfully."
Where Sassji comes from
Sass comes from the Sanskrit śvaśrū, related to the Latin socrus — the matching old word for mother-in-law.
Sassji vs similar terms
Sass is matched by Sahura, the father-in-law. A different word, Kudmani, covers your child's spouse's mother — the co-mother-in-law relationship between the two families joined by a marriage.
Frequently asked questions
What does Sassji mean in Punjabi?
Sassji (ਸੱਸ ਜੀ) means mother-in-law, the mother of your spouse. It applies equally whether you are the daughter-in-law or the son-in-law of the family.
What do Punjabis actually call their mother-in-law?
Most address her with a motherly title such as Mummy ji or Bibi ji and reserve Sass for talking about her — "meri sass" — rather than to her.
What is the difference between Sass and Kudmani?
Your Sass is your spouse's mother. Kudmani is what your parents call your spouse's mother — the co-mother-in-law bond between the two sets of parents.
Related terms
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