दीदी
dīdī/d̪iː.d̪iː/
In Hindi, the phrase "big sister" is दीदी (dīdī).
दीदी is a widely used informal term for a big sister. It is also used as a respectful way to address any woman who is slightly older than the speaker.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is dīdī (IPA: /d̪iː.d̪iː/).
When do people say it?
In many Indian social contexts, calling a woman दीदी is a way to show respect and establish a friendly, non-romantic social distance.
Did you know?
- In political contexts, prominent female leaders are often referred to as दीदी by their supporters to create a feeling of familial trust and kinship.
- The word दीदी is an onomatopoeic nursery word, meaning it originated from the repetitive sounds babies make while learning to speak.
- In many parts of India, the term is so versatile that it can be used as a respectful title for women in professional settings, such as a shopkeeper or a female colleague.
Examples in context
- मैंने रवि की बड़ी बहन को आज देखा।I saw Ravi's big sister today.
- दीदी, क्या आप मेरी मदद कर सकती हैं?Big sister, can you help me?
- गुंजन, तू मेरी बड़ी बहन है, हमेशा मेरे साथ रहेगी।Gunjan, you are my big sister, you'll always stay with me.
- दीदी, क्या आप मेरी मदद करेंगी?didi, kya aap meri madad karengi?Big sister, will you help me?
- मेरी दीदी बहुत अच्छी हैं।meri didi bahut acchi hain.My big sister is very kind.
- दीदी, चाय तैयार है।didi, chai taiyaar hai.Big sister, the tea is ready.
Example conversation
Vikas is asking his older sister Pooja for a book.
- विकास Vikasदीदी, क्या आपने मेरी किताब देखी?didi, kya aapne meri kitaab dekhi?Big sister, did you see my book?
- पूजा Poojaहाँ विकास, वह मेज़ पर है।haan vikas, vah mez par hai.Yes Vikas, it is on the table.
- विकास Vikasधन्यवाद दीदी!dhanyavaad didi!Thank you, big sister!
- पूजा Poojaकोई बात नहीं।koi baat nahi.You're welcome.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry दीदी, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries दीदी, CC BY-SA 4.0.
