दादा
dādā/d̪ɑː.d̪ɑː/masculine
The English phrase grandfather is translated into Hindi as दादा (dādā) or नाना.
Meaning: grandfather (from either side) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| दादा | dādā | /d̪ɑː.d̪ɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| नाना | nānā | /nɑː.nɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
In Hindi, the term used for grandfather depends on which side of the family they are from. Use दादा when referring to your paternal grandfather (your father's father) and नाना when referring to your maternal grandfather (your mother's father).
Which one should you use?
While both words mean grandfather, दादा is used specifically for the paternal grandfather and नाना is used specifically for the maternal grandfather.
How do you pronounce it?
dādā (/d̪ɑː.d̪ɑː/)
Did you know?
- In Bengali and Assamese, the word दादा does not mean grandfather but refers to an older brother.
- While दादा refers to your father's father, it is also used in some contexts as a respectful term for an older man or a person of authority.
- Hindi uses a system of kinship terms that distinguishes between paternal and maternal relatives for almost every family role, not just for grandfathers.
Examples in context
- टॉम मेरे दादा हैं।Tom is my grandfather.This sentence is useful for identifying a person as your grandfather using दादा.Tatoeba #2070160 by sabretou, translation #1495853 by CK
- मेरे दादा किसान थे।My grandfather was a farmer.This sentence is useful for describing a profession of a grandfather using दादा.Tatoeba #3633640 by sabretou, translation #819064 by CM
- मेरे दादा ओसाका के हैं।My grandfather is from Osaka.This sentence is useful for stating the origin of a grandfather using दादा.Tatoeba #4063560 by sabretou, translation #2767999 by CN
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Vikas and Pooja are looking at an old family photograph.
- विकास Vikasयह मेरे दादा की तस्वीर है।Yeh mere dada ki tasveer hai.This is a picture of my grandfather.
- पूजा Poojaवह बहुत दयालु दिखते हैं।Vah bahut dayalu dikhte hain.He looks very kind.
- विकास Vikasहाँ, मेरे दादा बहुत अच्छे थे।Haan, mere dada bahut acche the.Yes, my grandfather was very good.
- पूजा Poojaमुझे उनकी याद आएगी।Mujhe unki yaad aayegi.I will miss him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandfather” translations and entries दादा, नाना, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries दादा, नाना, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
