Shehri

Shehri is a term used in several South Asian languages, notably Urdu, to describe something related to the city or its inhabitants. It derives from the word for city (shahr) and the adjectival suffix -i, yielding a meaning along the lines of “of the city” or “urban.” In everyday language, shehri can function as both an adjective and a noun, indicating a resident of a city or, more broadly, urban characteristics.

In sociolinguistic and cultural contexts, the term is often employed to contrast urban life with rural life (dehati). It appears in discussions of urban identity, modernization, and contemporary culture, where it helps delineate differences in lifestyle, norms, and values between city dwellers and those from rural areas. The concept of shehri life can also be found in literature, journalism, and media that explore urban experiences, ambitions, and challenges.

As a proper name, Shehri occurs occasionally as a surname or given name in some communities, though it is not widely documented as a distinct ethnic or regional designation. Variants and related terms include shahr and shahr-i, which appear in different languages and transliteration systems.

See also: Shahr, Shahar, Dehati.