sistah

Sistah is an informal variant of the word sister, used as a term of address or solidarity among women, particularly within African American communities and in broader hip hop and Black diaspora culture. It signals kinship, mutual support, or empowerment rather than a biological relation.

The spelling reflects a phonetic rendering common in African American English. Variants include sistah, sistahs (plural), and sis, with sista and sister as more standard forms. The term can appear in casual conversation, music lyrics, and online communities.

Usage often occurs in direct address ("Hey, sistah") or in phrases that emphasize community, such as "sistahhood" or "sistah circle." It is used to acknowledge shared identity, offer support, or foster solidarity, especially among women facing common experiences or social issues.

Cultural and contextual considerations: the term is informal and most appropriate within communities that use it. Outsiders should be mindful of audience and setting, as usage may feel appropriative or inappropriate in formal contexts. The term's meaning can vary by region and generation.

See also: sister, sistahood.