
The concept of in-laws and their spouses is a complex one, with varying opinions on the correct terminology. A sibling-in-law is typically defined as the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse, and in common parlance, the terms brother-in-law and sister-in-law are used. However, the question arises when considering the spouse of your spouse's sibling. While some argue that this person is simply the husband or wife of your sister or brother-in-law, others contend that they are also your in-law due to their connection through marriage and their relationship to your nieces and nephews. This debate delves into the intricacies of kinship and the various ways people define family relationships.
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What You'll Learn

The spouse of your sibling is your sibling-in-law
The children of your siblings-in-law are simply your nieces and nephews, and if necessary, it can be specified whether they are "by marriage", "by blood", or "by adoption". In Indian English, the spouse of your sibling can also be referred to as a co-sibling, specifically a co-sister for the wife of your sibling, or a co-brother for the husband of your sibling.
It is worth noting that, in some cultures and legal traditions, sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous unless the spouse is no longer married. For example, in Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), such relationships are forbidden. On the other hand, in Judaism, there was a custom called yibbum, where a man had the non-obligatory duty to marry his deceased brother's childless widow.
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The sibling of your spouse is your sibling-in-law
For example, if you are a man, your brother's wife is your sister-in-law, and your sister's husband is your brother-in-law. Similarly, if you are a woman, your sister's husband is your brother-in-law, and your brother's wife is your sister-in-law.
The terms "brother-in-law" and "sister-in-law" are the most commonly used to refer to a person's sibling-in-law. However, in Indian English, the terms "co-sister" and "co-brother" are used to refer to the wife and husband of one's sibling-in-law, respectively.
It is important to note that the children of one's siblings-in-law are simply referred to as nieces and nephews, similar to the children of one's siblings. If necessary, it can be specified whether they are "by marriage", "by blood", or "by adoption".
The sibling-in-law relationship shares similarities with both spousal and sibling relationships in terms of relational closeness and satisfaction. However, in Islamic law (Sharia) and Jewish law (halakha), sexual relations between siblings-in-law are prohibited as incestuous unless the spouse is no longer married.
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The spouse of your sibling-in-law is your sibling's spouse
The spouse of your sibling is your sibling-in-law. This is a reciprocal relationship, so your spouse's sibling is also your sibling-in-law. Therefore, the spouse of your sibling-in-law is your sibling's spouse.
To break it down: if your sibling marries someone, that person is your sibling-in-law. If your spouse has a sibling, that person is also your sibling-in-law. So, if your sibling marries your spouse's sibling, that person is both your sibling-in-law and your spouse's sibling-in-law.
In this scenario, your original sibling is the spouse of your sibling-in-law. This means that the spouse of your sibling-in-law is indeed your sibling.
It is worth noting that the children of your siblings-in-law are simply referred to as your nieces and nephews, without specifying whether they are related "by marriage" or "by blood". However, if necessary, this distinction can be made to clarify the nature of the relationship.
While there is no universally agreed-upon terminology for these types of relationships, they are still considered a form of kinship called affinity, which is the same type of kinship that connects all in-law relationships.
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The spouse of your sibling-in-law is your sibling-in-law
The definition of a "sibling-in-law" can vary depending on cultural and personal interpretations. In general, a sibling-in-law is the spouse of one's sibling or the sibling of one's spouse. This means that the spouse of your sibling-in-law can be considered your sibling-in-law as well. However, some people may argue that this is not the case, as there is no direct blood relation or legal recognition of this type of relationship.
According to some cultural and legal traditions, the spouse of your sibling-in-law is indeed considered your sibling-in-law. For example, in Indian English, the wife of your sibling-in-law is referred to as a "co-sister," and the husband of your sibling-in-law is called a "co-brother." This terminology acknowledges the reciprocal nature of the relationship and the kinship by affinity that exists between the spouses of siblings.
In addition, the children of your sibling-in-law are typically referred to as your nieces and nephews, further reinforcing the idea that the spouse of your sibling-in-law is part of your extended family. This relationship can be specified as "by marriage" if needed, but often the distinction is not made, indicating a level of acceptance and closeness within the family dynamic.
However, it is important to note that some people may disagree with this interpretation. They may argue that the spouse of your sibling-in-law is simply the husband or wife of your sibling-in-law and that there is no direct relationship or legal connection with you. This perspective highlights the absence of a shared biological or legal bond, suggesting that the spouse of your sibling-in-law is not technically your sibling-in-law.
Ultimately, the definition of a "sibling-in-law" can be flexible and influenced by personal and cultural perspectives. While some people may extend this term to include the spouse of their sibling-in-law, others may reserve it only for the siblings of their spouse or the spouses of their siblings.
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The spouse of your sibling-in-law is not your sibling-in-law
For example, let's say your sibling's name is Anna, and Anna is married to Bob. In this case, Bob is your sibling-in-law because he is the spouse of your sibling, Anna. Now, let's say Bob has a sibling named Charlie, who is married to a person named Dan. In this case, Charlie is the spouse of your sibling-in-law (Bob), but Charlie is not your sibling-in-law. This is because Charlie is not the spouse of your sibling (Anna) nor the sibling of your spouse.
It's important to note that the term "sibling-in-law" refers to a specific type of kinship called affinity, which is a relationship by marriage. All in-law relationships, including sibling-in-law relationships, are connections that are not related to a person directly by blood. This means that your sibling-in-law shares a closer genetic relationship with their own spouse than with you, reinforcing the distinction between your sibling-in-law and the spouse of your sibling-in-law.
While the spouse of your sibling-in-law is not technically your sibling-in-law, it's worth mentioning that in some cultures and families, there may be variations or nuances in how these relationships are addressed. For example, in Indian English, the spouse of your sibling-in-law may be referred to as a "co-sibling," specifically a "co-sister" for the wife of your sibling-in-law or a "co-brother" for the husband of your sibling-in-law. Additionally, some people may choose to use terms like brother-in-law or sister-in-law more broadly to include the spouses of their siblings-in-law, even if it deviates from the strict definition. Ultimately, the specific terminology and labels used can vary depending on personal preference, cultural context, and the dynamics of the family.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the spouse of your in-law is not your sibling-in-law. However, the spouse of your sibling is your sibling-in-law.
The spouse of your in-law has no specific name or title. They are simply your sister-in-law's husband or your brother-in-law's wife.
The spouse of your in-law's sibling is your in-law's niece or nephew by marriage.
Yes, in Indian English, the spouse of your in-law's sibling can be referred to as a co-sibling. Specifically, a co-sister for the wife of your sibling-in-law or a co-brother for the husband of your sibling-in-law.











































