Sahib: meaning, definitions and examples
๐คต
sahib
[ หsahษชb ]
honorific title
Sahib is a term used in South Asia as an honorific title for men, denoting respect or authority. It is often used in a colonial context to refer to Europeans or those in positions of power, but it can also be used more generally to show respect.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The sahib gave orders to his servants.
- In colonial times, the British were often addressed as sahib.
- He spoke with the authority of a true sahib.
- Sahib, would you like some tea?
- The locals treated the sahib with great respect.
Translations
Translations of the word "sahib" in other languages:
๐ต๐น senhor
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเฅเคตเคพเคฎเฅ
๐ฉ๐ช Herr
๐ฎ๐ฉ tuan
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะฐะฝ
๐ต๐ฑ pan
๐ฏ๐ต ไธปไบบ
๐ซ๐ท monsieur
๐ช๐ธ seรฑor
๐น๐ท efendi
๐ฐ๐ท ์ฃผ์ธ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุณูุฏ
๐จ๐ฟ pรกn
๐ธ๐ฐ pรกn
๐จ๐ณ ไธปไบบ
๐ธ๐ฎ gospod
๐ฎ๐ธ herra
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะธะตัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแขแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sahib
๐ฒ๐ฝ seรฑor
Etymology
The word 'sahib' originates from Arabic and is derived from the term 'sahib', which means 'companion' or 'friend'. The term was then adopted into various South Asian languages, including Urdu and Hindi, during the period of Muslim rule and later British colonialism in India. It became a form of address for Europeans during the colonial period, reflecting the hierarchical social structures of the time. Today, while 'sahib' still retains its honorific use in certain contexts, its meaning has evolved and can encompass a broader range of respectful address in South Asian cultures. The term reflects the complex interplay between language, culture, and history in colonial and post-colonial societies.