Bhabhi

Bhabhi (Hindi: भाभी, bhābhī) means ‘elder brother’s wife’ or ‘eldest brother’s wife’.

In a traditional joint South Asian family, every elder brother's wife is called Bhabhi by younger brothers. Wife of eldest brother is traditionally considered to have higher authority over the matters of the house, and is given the charge of running the household affairs. The subsequent younger brothers’ wives typically seek her advice and permission in regards to many matters/decisions regarding the household and rearing of the children. In popular culture, Hindi dramas typically display these relationships as contentious, as the bhabhi frequently abuses her position of power. Bhabhi is also addressed to a friend 's wife. Calling by name is not initiated unless the two agree. It is a general word for respect for friend's wife. Bhabhi can also considered like a mother if parents are dead and in many cases bhabhi does raise her husband's younger siblings. She can be quite a pillar of a family if she behaves in culturally consistent manner. The relation between the bhabhi and the younger siblings of the husband is considered as one, where a lot of humor is allowed, and in traditionally conservative families, the siblings, "devar" in case of a brother and "nanad" in case of a sister of the husband, may turn to the bhabhi to seek advice in personal matters, whereas they might feel shy in seeking the advice of their parents or elder siblings.