দাদু
dadu
The Bengali word for grandpa is দাদু (dadu).
দাদু is a colloquial term meaning grandfather. In many West Bengali and Bangladeshi households, it is also used as a term of endearment for an elderly person, even if they are not a biological grandfather.
Meaning: grandfather (informal) (noun)
Which one should you use?
While দাদু is used for both maternal and paternal grandfathers in many families, more specific terms exist to distinguish between the two. For a more formal or respectful tone, you can use দাদামশাই.
How do you pronounce it?
dadu
Did you know?
- In some parts of Bengal, calling a child দাদু (dadu) is a common way to jokingly call them an 'old soul' or a 'little old man'.
- While দাদু (dadu) means 'grandpa', the word দাদা (dada) means 'elder brother'. A slight change in the vowel sound shifts the relationship from a sibling to a grandparent.
- The formal version দাদামশাই (dadamoshai) adds the suffix মশাই (moshai), which is a highly respectful honorific similar to 'sir' or 'esteemed' in English.
Examples in context
- আমার দাদু খুব ভালো মানুষ।Amar dadu khub bhalo manush.My grandpa is a very good man.
- দাদু কি এখন ঘুমাচ্ছেন?Dadu ki ekhon ghumachhen?Is grandpa sleeping now?
- দাদু আমাকে গল্প শোনান।Dadu amake golpo shonan.Grandpa tells me stories.
Example conversation
Ishani and Akash are talking about their family photos.
- আকাশ Akashএই ছবিতে কে?Ei chobite ke?Who is in this picture?
- ইশানি Ishaniউনি আমার দাদু।Uni amar dadu.He is my grandpa.
- আকাশ Akashউনি দেখতে খুব মিষ্টি।Uni dekhte khub mishti.He looks very sweet.
- ইশানি Ishaniহ্যাঁ, দাদু খুব দয়ালু মানুষ।Hyan, dadu khub doyalu manush.Yes, grandpa is a very kind person.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry দাদু, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
