Malay · Family & People
isteri
Wife
Beginnernoun
Definition
The woman a man is married to; Indonesian spells it istri.
Example
Dia tinggal dengan isterinya di Melaka.
He lives with his wife in Malacca.
Etymology
'Isteri' comes from the Arabic word 'امرأة' (imra'ah) meaning 'woman' or 'wife', reflecting the influence of Islamic teachings on marriage in Malay society.
How & Where It’s Used
'Isteri' is used both in formal and informal contexts, often when referencing one’s wife in legal or family discussions across Malaysia and Indonesia.