Word · from the archive
dhī
A daughter — a figure of deep tenderness in Punjabi song, and of poignancy too, since custom sends her to another home at marriage. The old saying “dhī parāyā dhan” (a daughter is another’s wealth) is now as often quoted to criticise that very idea.
noun (feminine) · daughter
Its companion in ordinary speech is ਪੁੱਤ پُت putt — son; dear child.
Literal sense
A daughter.
Pronunciation
/d̪ʱiː/ — “dhee”
Etymology
From Sanskrit duhitṛ, “daughter.”
Etymological stream: Sanskritic
Cultural context
The departing daughter — the doli — is one of the most emotive images in Punjabi folk music.
In a sentence
ਧੀ ਘਰ ਦੀ ਰੌਣਕ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ।دھی گھر دی رونق ہندی ہے۔dhī ghar dī rauṇak hundī hai“A daughter is the light of a home.”
Related words
Where this word appears on Punjabia
See also
ਪੁੱਤ پُت putt — son — its constant companion; both used as endearments by elders