दीदी
dīdī/d̪iː.d̪iː/
The Hindi phrase for "elder sister" is दीदी (dīdī).
दीदी is a common term used to refer to an elder sister. It is also used as a respectful way to address or refer to an older female peer.
Which one should you use?
While बहन refers to a sister in a general biological sense, दीदी specifically emphasizes the seniority or the respect due to an elder sister.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is dīdī. It has two syllables.
When do people say it?
In many Indian households, दीदी is used as a title of respect for women who are not biological siblings, such as cousins or even older female acquaintances.
Did you know?
- The term दीदी is frequently used in political slogans and grassroots organizing to create a bond of trust and kinship with female voters.
- In some social circles, calling an older woman दीदी is a way to explicitly signal that you have no romantic or improper intentions toward her.
- The word दीदी is thought to have originated as a nursery word, created by repeating simple sounds that babies easily pronounce.
Examples in context
- मेरी दीदी बहुत अच्छी हैं।meri didi bahut achhi hain.My elder sister is very good.
- क्या आप मेरी दीदी को जानते हैं?kya aap meri didi ko jaante hain?Do you know my elder sister?
- दीदी घर पर हैं।didi ghar par hain.Elder sister is at home.
Example conversation
A young man asks his friend about her sister.
- नेहा Nehaविकास, क्या तुम्हारी दीदी आ गई?vikas, kya tumhari didi aa gayi?Vikas, has your elder sister arrived?
- विकास Vikasनहीं, नेहा, वह अभी नहीं आई।nahi, neha, vah abhi nahi aayi.No, Neha, she hasn't arrived yet.
- नेहा Nehaठीक है, मैं अपनी दीदी का इंतज़ार करूँगी।thik hai, main apni didi ka intezaar karungi.Okay, I will wait for my elder sister.
- विकास Vikasकोई बात नहीं, वह जल्दी ही आएगी।koi baat nahi, vah jaldi hi aayegi.No problem, she will come soon.
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.
