দাদা
dada/d̪ad̪a/
The English phrase "big brother" is translated into Bengali as দাদা (dada).
দাদা is used to refer to an elder brother. Beyond biological relationships, it serves as an honorific to address any male who is slightly older than the speaker.
Which one should you use?
While দাদা specifically denotes an elder brother, the word ভাই is used for a brother of the same age or a younger brother.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Chittagong region of Bangladesh, ভাই is often pronounced as ছেলে, which also means "boy".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is dada. The IPA pronunciation is /d̪ad̪a/.
When do people say it?
In Bengali culture, it is common to address strangers, shopkeepers or acquaintances as দাদা to show politeness and social closeness.
Did you know?
- The word দাদা is thought to have originated as an onomatopoeic nursery word, created through the reduplication of sounds used by infants.
- Calling a stranger দাদা in a city like Kolkata is a strategic way to create an immediate sense of trust or kinship to negotiate a price.
- In some traditional contexts, a person may never call their elder brother by his actual name, using দাদা exclusively to show respect.
Examples in context
- দাদা, আপনি কেমন আছেন?Big brother, how are you?
- আমার দাদা খুব ভালো মানুষ।Amar dada khub bhalo manush.My big brother is a very good person.
- দাদা এখন অফিসে গেছেন।Dada ekhon office-e gechen.Big brother has gone to the office now.
- তুমি কি তোমার দাদার সাথে যাবে?Tumi ki tomar dadar sathe jabe?Will you go with your big brother?
Example conversation
Tania is asking Rahul for help with her homework.
- তানিয়া Taniaদাদা, আমাকে একটু সাহায্য করবেন?Dada, amake ektu sahajyo korben?Big brother, can you help me a bit?
- রাহুল Rahulহ্যাঁ তানিয়া, কী হয়েছে?Haan Tania, ki hoyeche?Yes Tania, what happened?
- তানিয়া Taniaআমি অংকটা বুঝতে পারছি না।Ami onkota bujhte parchi na.I cannot understand the math problem.
- রাহুল Rahulআমি তোমাকে বুঝিয়ে দিচ্ছি।Ami tomake bujhie dichchi.I am explaining it to you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry দাদা, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries দাদা, CC BY-SA 4.0.
