Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| पापा | pāpā | /pɑː.pɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| बाप | bāp | /bɑːp/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| अब्बा | abbā | /əb.bɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| बाबा | bābā | /bɑː.bɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| बापू | bāpū | /bɑː.puː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| पिताजी | pitājī | masculine |
All provided forms of 'dad' are masculine nouns. The term पापा is a very common, modern and neutral way to address one's father, especially in urban Indian households.
Which one should you use?
While पापा is a common informal way to say 'dad', पिताजी is the more formal and respectful way to say 'father'. The term बाप can mean father, but it can also mean 'old man'. In many social contexts, it can sound blunt, disrespectful or even aggressive depending on the tone used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a respectful and formal way to address a father, use पिताजी. The most common and neutral informal term is पापा. The term बाबा is an endearing way to express a high level of closeness and affection. Conversely, be careful with बाप, as it can be perceived as rude or blunt.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term अब्बा is a common way to say 'dad' or 'father' used primarily by Muslim families in Hindi-speaking regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the term पिताजी, the suffix '-जी' (-jī) is an honorific added to the word to show respect to the person being addressed.
How do you pronounce it?
The word पापा is pronounced /pɑː.pɑː/.
When do people say it?
Different terms reflect various cultural and social backgrounds: अब्बा is common in Muslim families, and बापू is a term for father popularized by its usage by Mahatma Gandhi.
Did you know?
- The word पापा is not originally an Indian word, but was likely borrowed from Persian or even English.
Examples in context
- मेरे पापा कहाँ हैं?Where is my dad?This sentence uses पापा to ask about a father's location.Tatoeba #3847351 by sabretou, translation #595504 by CK
- पिताजी, आप क्या कर रहे हो?Dad, what are you doing?This sentence uses पिताजी to address a father directly and ask what he is doing.Tatoeba #3707682 by sabretou, translation #3895189 by shashank19gaurav
- यान्नी ने अपने पापा को बताया।Yanni told his dad.This sentence uses पापा to describe an action involving a father.Tatoeba #10047512 by sabretou, translation #10023690 by Amastan
- मेरे पिताजी ने हमेशा मेरा साथ दिया है।My father has always been there for me.
- बापू, आप मेरे लिए एक प्रेरणास्रोत हैं।Father, you are an inspiration to me.
- पापा, क्या हम एक साथ खेल सकते हैं?Dad, can we play together?
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rahul and Pooja are talking about their families at home.
- राहुल Rahulपूजा, क्या तुम्हारे पापा घर पर हैं?Pooja, kya tumhare papa ghar par hain?Pooja, is your dad at home?
- पूजा Poojaनहीं, मेरे पापा अभी दफ़्तर में हैं।nahī̃, mere papa abhī daftar mein hain.No, my dad is at the office right now.
- राहुल Rahulठीक है, वह कब तक आएंगे?ṭhīk hai, vah kab tak āenge?Okay, when will he come back?
- पूजा Poojaपापा शाम को जल्दी आ जाएंगे।papa śām ko jaldī ā jāeṅge.Dad will come early in the evening.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dad” translations and entries पापा, बाप, अब्बा, बाबा, बापू, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries अब्बा, पापा, बाप, बाबा, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
