बज्यै
bajyai
The Nepali word for grandmother is बज्यै (bajyai).
बज्यै is used to refer to the mother of someone's parent.
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
Which one should you use?
While बज्यै is a common way to refer to a grandmother, हजुरआमा (hajurā-mā) is the more formal and respectful term used in polite or standard speech.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced similarly to 'baj-yai', with a soft 'j' sound.
Did you know?
- In Nepali culture, it is common for grandchildren to touch the feet of their बज्यै or हजुरआमा as a gesture of deep respect and to receive a blessing.
- In certain Newari-influenced Nepali dialects, the way one addresses a grandmother can change based on whether the grandmother is from the father's side or the mother's side.
- The formal term हजुरआमा contains the word हजुर, which is a versatile honorific used to address anyone with high respect or to say 'yes' politely.
Examples in context
- मेरो बज्यै धेरै दयालु हुनुहुन्छ।mero bajyai dherai dayalu hunuhunchha.My grandmother is very kind.
- बज्यैले मिठो अचार बनाउनुहुन्छ।bajyaile mitho achaar banaunuhunchha.Grandmother makes delicious pickles.
- बज्यै कति वर्ष भइसक्नु भयो?bajyai kati varsha bhaisaknu bhayo?How old is grandmother now?
Example conversation
Roshan and Srijana are looking at a family photo.
- रोशन Roshanयो फोटोमा को हुनुहुन्छ?Yo photoma ko hunuhunchha?Who is this in the photo?
- सृजना Srijanaउहाँ मेरी बज्यै हुनुहुन्छ।Uha meri bajyai hunuhunchha.She is my grandmother.
- रोशन Roshanउहाँ कति राम्री हुनुहुन्छ!Uha kati ramri hunuhunchha!She is so beautiful!
- सृजना Srijanaधन्यवाद, रोशन।Dhanyabaad, Roshan.Thank you, Roshan.
