जानू
jānu
The Hindi word for "babe" is जानू (jānu).
The term is used to refer to an attractive person or as a term of endearment.
Meaning: attractive person (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
jānu
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'babe' for anyone attractive, calling a stranger जानू in India could be seen as highly intrusive or even predatory.
- The suffix 'u' added to जान to make जानू is a common linguistic pattern in Hindi to make a word sound cuter or more affectionate.
- The word जानू comes from जान, which means 'life'. Calling someone जानू is essentially telling them they are your entire life.
Examples in context
- आज रात डिनर पर चलेंगे, जानू?Shall we go for dinner tonight, babe?
- क्या वह तुम्हारी जानू है?Kya vah tumhari jaanu hai?Is she your babe?
Example conversation
A couple is talking at home.
- अंजलि Anjaliजानू, क्या तुम बाहर चलोगे?jaanū, kyā tum bāhar caloge?Babe, will you go outside?
- अमित Amitहाँ अंजलि, कहाँ जाना है?hān anjali, kahān jānā hai?Yes Anjali, where do we have to go?
- अंजलि Anjaliबस पास के पार्क में चलते हैं।bas pās ke pārk mein calte hain.Let's just go to the nearby park.
- अमित Amitठीक है, चलो चलें।ṭhīk hai, calo calēn.Okay, let's go.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries जानू, CC BY-SA 4.0.
