ابو
abbueveryday, Pakistan
The most common word for dad in Pakistan is ابو (abbu). Many families also say ابا (abba) or پاپا (papa), and والد صاحب (walid sahab) is the formal "my father".
Meaning: father (noun)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ابو | abbu | everyday, Pakistan |
| والد صاحب | walid sahab | formal |
| ابا | abba | traditional |
| پاپا | papa | modern, urban |
Adding جی (ji) makes it more respectful, as in ابو جی (abbu ji). Children usually call their father this way in speech and in writing.
Which one should you use?
پاپا (papa) is common in city families, while ابا (abba) sounds more traditional. والد صاحب (walid sahab) is used when talking about someone's father politely, for example to a teacher.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Urdu speakers in India and Pakistan share most of these words, but ابو (abbu) is especially at home in Pakistan.
Did you know?
- In Urdu a father is spoken of with the plural verb, so ابو آئے ہیں (abbu aaye hain) is used even for one person, as a mark of respect.
Examples in context
- ابو آفس سے آ گئے ہیں۔abbu office se aa gaye hain.Dad has come back from the office.
- میرے والد صاحب ڈاکٹر ہیں۔mere walid sahab doctor hain.My father is a doctor.
- پاپا، مجھے پیسے چاہئیں۔papa, mujhe paise chahiyen.Dad, I need some money.
Example conversation
Fatima and her younger brother Ali wait for their father at home in Rawalpindi.
- Aliباجی، ابو کب آئیں گے؟baji, abbu kab aaenge?Sister, when will Dad come?
- Fatimaوہ شام کو آ جائیں گے۔woh shaam ko aa jaenge.He will be here in the evening.
- Aliٹھیک ہے، میں ان کا انتظار کروں گا۔theek hai, main un ka intezar karoon ga.Okay, I will wait for him.
