noun
Shri
noun
1
A respectful title placed before a man's name, roughly equivalent to "Mr." in South Asian usage.
"The invitation was addressed to Shri Ramesh Gupta."
"He signed the official letter as Shri A. K. Sharma."
2
An honorific placed before the names of deities, saints, sacred texts, or holy places.
"Pilgrims chanted "Shri Ganesha" before starting their journey."
"The temple is formally known as Shri Venkateswara Temple."
How to Use Shri
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA polite title of respect used in India and neighbouring countries, similar to "Mr." or "Sir," or added before something sacred.
UK vs US
Rarely used in everyday British or American English outside South Asian communities or contexts.
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The invitation was addressed to _____ Ramesh Gupta.
Etymology
Borrowed from Sanskrit shri, meaning splendour or sacred fortune, and used across many South Asian languages as a mark of respect.