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Saale, which is also spelt as Sale or Saaley and also said as Saala, is an Indian Slang word. The correct way of pronouncing it is Saa-Lay. This word is usually meant to address someone in a rude way, sort of to let it be known to them that you're not exactly happy with them, however, it is a commonly used word amongst friends as well, similar to how some swear words are not taken seriously amongst friends. It is used in the same way as the word Idiot is used in English, albeit it doesn't have the same meaning.

Example of usage:

Kya hai Saale? (What is it idiot?)
Saala zyada banta hai (The idiot is a poser)

This word Saale, is a real word actually, in the Hindi language, and it is meant to address the brother of your wife, it is the title given to that person, therefore, the actual significance of calling someone as a Saala (The noun form, Saale is exclusively used in a conversation) is to say that the person who is saying it, has been sleeping with the sister of the person who is being referred to as a Saala. That is the derogatory way of looking at it, while referring to the actual relation, it is meant to say that the particular person being referred to as a Saala is the brother of the wife of the person who is saying it or is being referred to in the sentence itself, for example.

Example of non-slang usage:

Kaise hain Saale ji (How are you my wife's brother?)
Ravi Shyam ka Saala hai (Ravi is Shyam's wife's brother (or brother in law))

Despite its Slang usage, Saala continue to be used formally, through its original meaning, in families and social occassions, the slang-toned term is not used formally however. Saala was originally intended to be a swear word and in some high-morality circles, it is termed as a swear, with users of the word being frowned upon.

However, in recent times, it has changed its form into a rude Slang instead of a swear, and is not censored anywhere, even in Movies. It is widely used amongst Hindi speakers all over the country.

Harish M
Pyaaj.com Society Section