ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Indian honorifics

Hello! You may have heard grown-ups using special words to show respect to each other in India, these are called Indian Honorifics. Just like how you use certain words like "please" and "thank you" to show good manners and politeness, Indian Honorifics are used to show respect towards someone based on their age, relationship, and social status.

For example:

- "Didi" is used to refer to an older sister or an elder woman.
- "Baba" is used to refer to someone who is older, such as grandfathers or respected elders.
- "Sahib" is a term of respect for a man, similar to "Mr."
- "Madam" is a term of respect for women, similar to "Mrs." or "Ms."

There are also specific honorifics used for religious figures, such as "Swami" for Hindu spiritual leaders or "Guru" for Sikh spiritual leaders.

Indian people use these honorifics to show respect and acknowledge the seniority or achievements of the person they are talking to. It is important to understand and use them properly, as it shows good manners and respect towards others.

I hope that helps!