The word “bahu” is a term commonly used in many South Asian cultures, particularly in India. It is often used to refer to the daughter-in-law of a family, who is married to the eldest son. However, the term “bahu” has several other meanings and associations that are worth exploring.
Definitions
The term “bahu” is derived from the Sanskrit word “bahuvrihi”, which means “having many or much”. In the context of family relationships, “bahu” is often used to refer to the wife of the eldest son, who is considered to be the head of the family. However, the term can also be used to refer to any daughter-in-law in a family.
Origin
The origin of the term “bahu” can be traced back to ancient India, where it was used to refer to the wife of the eldest son in a joint family system. The term has since been adopted by many other South Asian cultures, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of “bahu” varies slightly in different dictionaries. In the Oxford English Dictionary, “bahu” is defined as “the wife of the eldest son in an Indian family”. In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “bahu” is defined as “the daughter-in-law of a Hindu family”. In the Collins English Dictionary, “bahu” is defined as “the wife of the eldest son in an Indian family, who has a special position in the household”.
Associations
In many South Asian cultures, the daughter-in-law is expected to play a significant role in the family. The bahu is often responsible for managing the household, cooking, and taking care of the children. She is also expected to show respect to her in-laws and maintain a harmonious relationship with them.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of “bahu” include “daugi” (in Punjabi), “bhabi” (in Bengali), and “saas” (in Hindi).
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of “bahu”, but some opposite terms could be “jamai” (son-in-law) or “sasur” (father-in-law).
The same root words
The Sanskrit root word “bahuvrihi” is also the origin of other words in the Indian subcontinent, including “bahut” (meaning “much” or “many”) and “bahuwa” (meaning “having many or much”).
Example Sentences
- My bahu is an excellent cook.
- The bahu of the family is responsible for managing the household.
- The bahu is expected to show respect to her in-laws.
- The relationship between the bahu and her mother-in-law can sometimes be complicated.
- The bahu is an important member of the family and plays a significant role in maintaining family harmony.