दादा-दादी
dada-dadi
In Hindi, "grandma and grandpa" is expressed as दादा-दादी (dada-dadi) when referring specifically to the paternal grandparents.
The phrase दादा-दादी is used to refer to one's paternal grandparents, meaning the parents of one's father. While the phrase functions as a unit, the individual components are dada (paternal grandfather) and dadi (paternal grandmother).
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a combination of dada, meaning paternal grandfather and dadi, meaning paternal grandmother.
Which one should you use?
Use दादा-दादी for the father's parents. If you are referring to the maternal grandparents (the mother's parents), you should use नाना-नानी instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is often used as a compound noun to refer to the paternal grandparents as a single unit.
How do you pronounce it?
dada-dadi
Did you know?
- The word दादा can also mean 'elder brother' in certain regional dialects of Hindi and Bengali, which can lead to confusion about a person's generation in a family tree.
- Hindi distinguishes paternal and maternal grandparents, but it also has separate words for the paternal grandmother's sister and the paternal grandfather's brother, creating a highly specific kinship map.
- The distinction between दादा-दादी and नाना-नानी reflects a historical patriarchal social structure where the paternal lineage was tracked and named separately from the maternal one.
Examples in context
- मेरे दादा-दादी बहुत अच्छे हैं।mere dadā-dādī bahut achhe hain.My grandma and grandpa are very good.
- दादा-दादी गाँव में रहते हैं।dadā-dādī gaon mein rahte hain.Grandma and grandpa live in the village.
- मैंने दादा-दादी के लिए उपहार खरीदा।maine dadā-dādī ke liye uphār kharīdā.I bought a gift for grandma and grandpa.
Example conversation
Amit and Pooja are talking about family during a phone call.
- अमित Amitपूजा, क्या तुम्हारे दादा-दादी आ रहे हैं?pūjā, kya tumhāre dadā-dādī ā rahe hain?Pooja, are your grandma and grandpa coming?
- पूजा Poojaहाँ, अमित, वे कल आ रहे हैं।hāñ, amit, ve kal ā rahe hain.Yes, Amit, they are coming tomorrow.
- अमित Amitयह सुनकर बहुत खुशी हुई।yeh sunakar bahut khushī huī.I am very happy to hear that.
- पूजा Poojaतुम भी उनसे मिलने आना।tum bhī unse milne ānā.You should also come to meet them.
