दादी
dādī/d̪ɑː.d̪iː/feminine
The English phrase "grandmother" translates to Hindi as दादी (dādī) or नानी.
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| दादी | dādī | /d̪ɑː.d̪iː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| नानी | nānī | /nɑː.niː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
Both terms are feminine nouns used to refer to a grandmother.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on which side of the family the grandmother is from. दादी refers specifically to the paternal grandmother (father's mother). नानी refers specifically to the maternal grandmother (mother's mother).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of dādī is /d̪ɑː.d̪iː/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The phrase नानी याद आना literally means 'to remember one's maternal grandmother' but is used as an idiom meaning to be in a state of extreme distress or panic.
- In many Indian households, the paternal grandmother दादी historically held a more authoritative role in managing the home than the maternal grandmother नानी.
- In many Indian households, children may avoid calling their grandmother by her actual name, instead using the title नानी or दादी even in casual conversation as a sign of respect.
Examples in context
- मेरी दादी उड़ सकती है।My grandmother can fly.This sentence uses दादी to describe a grandmother's ability.Tatoeba #2039244 by sabretou, translation #1362624 by CM
- मेरी नानी धीरे-धीरे बोलतीं हैं।My grandmother speaks slowly.This sentence uses नानी to describe how a grandmother speaks.Tatoeba #491780 by minshirui, translation #273903 by CK
- उसकी दादी ने उसे पाल-पोस कर बड़ा किया था।She was brought up by her grandmother.This sentence uses दादी to describe how a grandmother brought someone up.Tatoeba #483788 by minshirui, translation #310591 by furagwa
- नानी, क्या आप मुझे एक कहानी सुना सकती हैं?Nani, can you tell me a story?
- दादी, क्या हम साथ में कुकीज़ बना सकते हैं?Dadi, can we bake cookies together?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aditya and Anjali are talking about their family during tea.
- आदित्य Adityaक्या तुम्हारी दादी आ गईं?Kya tumhari dadi aa gayin?Has your grandmother arrived?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, मेरी दादी अभी आई हैं।Haan, meri dadi abhi aayi hain.Yes, my grandmother has just arrived.
- आदित्य Adityaवह बहुत खुश दिख रही हैं।Vah bahut khush dikh rahi hain.She looks very happy.
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, वह बहुत प्रसन्न हैं।Haan, vah bahut prasann hain.Yes, she is very pleased.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandmother” translations and entries दादी, नानी, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
