[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/sahib/)

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# sahib

noun (sahib, sahibs) — a title

«sahib» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Sahib is a respectful word, like «sir» or «master», used in India and Pakistan, especially in the past when Britain ruled India. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sahib/#m1)
2. In Sikh use, Sahib is added to holy names as a sign of great respect, as in Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sahib/#m2)

### In the lessons

A word met in stories and history about British India, where servants called British officers «sahib», and in religious education about Sikhism (Guru Granth Sahib, Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple). It tells the reader about respect, rank and sometimes the unfairness of colonial times. Phrases: «memsahib» (a respectful word for a European woman in old India).

### Examples

- The servant bowed and said, «Yes, sahib.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sahib/#x1)
- In the old story, the sahib lived in a large house with many servants. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sahib/#x2)
- Sikhs treat the Guru Granth Sahib as a living teacher. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sahib/#x3)
- The Golden Temple is also called Harmandir Sahib. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sahib/#x4)
- Grandfather remembered when people still said «sahib» to British officers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sahib/#x5)
- The memsahib ordered tea on the veranda. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sahib/#x6)

### Note

A borrowed word from Hindi and Urdu, said «SAH-ib» or «sahb». Usually written with a capital when it comes after a name (Guru Granth Sahib). Used today about colonial times, it can sound old-fashioned or show an unequal relationship, so it is not a casual word for «sir».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «sahib» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sahib/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sahib» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/sahib.html) on Mova free.