istri

Istri is the Indonesian word for wife, referring to the female spouse in a marriage. In Malay-speaking communities the standard term is ister i (istos? corrected: ister i is a typo—the correct Malay form is isteri). Both languages use closely related terms to denote a married woman, and the word is common in everyday speech as well as in formal writing.

In practice, the role and status of a wife vary widely across cultures, religions, and legal systems. The term is gender-specific and distinguishes the female partner from the husband (suami in Indonesian and Malay). Wives may participate in a wide range of activities, from domestic duties to education, work, and public life, depending on social norms and personal circumstances.

Legal and normative frameworks shape the rights and responsibilities of a wife. In many jurisdictions, laws governing marriage address maintenance or support, property rights, and inheritance. In Muslim contexts, nafkah (maintenance) and other rights are recognized within both civil and sharia law, with specifics differing by country. Polygamy, when permitted, is regulated by law and affects the distribution of rights among multiple wives and their children. Overall, the term is a neutral designation for a married woman within the relevant legal and cultural context.

The word remains a standard, neutral term for a wife in Indonesian and Malay-language usage, distinct from but related to the term for the husband.