খালা
khala/kʰala/
In Bengali, the term for aunt is খালা (khala). Wiktionary also lists মৈ (khala) and ফুফী (phuphi).
Meaning: a parent's sister or sister-in-law (noun)
Ways to say it
| Bengali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| খালা | khala | /kʰala/ |
| মৈ | khala | |
| ফুফী | phuphi | |
| ফুফু | phuphi | /fufu/ |
| চাচী | caci | |
| মামী | mami | |
| মাসী | maśi | |
| মাসীমা | maśima | |
| কাকিমা | kakima | |
| কাকি | kaki | |
| খুড়ি | khuṛi |
Which one should you use?
In Muslim families, খালা refers specifically to a maternal aunt (mother's sister), while ফুফী or ফুফু refers to a paternal aunt (father's sister). In Hindu families, মাসী is the standard term for a maternal aunt and কাকিমা is a common term for a paternal aunt (father's brother's wife). For a general relationship, মামী refers specifically to the wife of a maternal uncle. Other forms include চাচী, মৈ, কাকি and খুড়ি.
How do you pronounce it?
khala (/kʰala/)
Did you know?
- Bengali speakers often use kinship terms like খালা or কাকিমা to address older women they are not related to as a sign of respect.
- The word ফুফু for a paternal aunt is derived from ancient baby talk in Ashokan Prakrit.
- Adding the suffix -মা to words like মাসী to create মাসীমা adds a layer of additional respect and affection.
Examples in context
- সে প্যারিস গেছে তার কাকিমার সাথে দেখা করতে।She went to Paris to see her aunt.This sentence shows how to use কাকিমা to refer to an aunt.Tatoeba #2591634 by tanay, translation #2591271 by CN
- আপনার কাকি কে?Who's your aunt?This sentence demonstrates the use of কাকি when asking about an aunt.Tatoeba #11588350 by robingaspi, translation #6049457 by mailohilohi
- আমার খালা আমাকে খাতির করতেন।My aunt used to adore me.This sentence illustrates the use of খালা in a personal context.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ishani and Anirban are talking at a family gathering.
- ইশানি Ishaniতোমার খালা কোথায়?Tomar khala kothay?Where is your aunt?
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanখালা রান্নাঘরে আছেন।Khala rannaghor-e achen.My aunt is in the kitchen.
- ইশানি Ishaniউনি কি খুব ভালো রান্না করেন?Uni ki khub bhalo ranna koren?Does she cook very well?
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanহ্যাঁ, আমার খালা দারুণ রান্না করেন।He, amar khala darun ranna koren.Yes, my aunt cooks wonderfully.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “aunt” translations and entries খালা, মৈ, ফুফু, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries খালা, ফুফু, মৈ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
