ਦਾਦਾ
dādā
The English word 'grandpa' is translated into Punjabi as ਦਾਦਾ (dādā).
ਦਾਦਾ is used to refer specifically to a paternal grandfather, which is your father's father.
Meaning: grandfather (informal) (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use ਦਾਦਾ for a paternal grandfather. If you are referring to a maternal grandfather (your mother's father), use ਨਾਨਾ instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the term Daadu Ji is used to refer to a grandfather affectionately.
How do you pronounce it?
dādā
When do people say it?
When addressing a grandfather, adding the honorific ਜੀ (as in Dada Ji or Nana Ji) is a common way to show respect. The term Baba Ji is also used as an affectionate, informal way to address a grandfather.
Did you know?
- The term ਦਾਦਾ is so rooted in respect that it can be used to address any elderly man in a community, regardless of whether you are actually related to him.
- While ਦਾਦਾ refers to a grandfather, the word ਦਾਦੀ ('Dadi') refers to a paternal grandmother, showing how Punjabi uses a simple vowel shift to change gender.
- The word ਦਾਦਾ is an ancient term that survived through Prakrit, a Middle Indo-Aryan language spoken in ancient India. It shares a common ancestor with the Hindi word 'dādā', making it a linguistic cousin to many similar terms across Northern India.
Examples in context
- ਦਾਦਾ ਜੀ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਕਹਾਣੀ ਸੁਣਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ।dada ji sanu kahani suna rahe han.Grandpa is telling us a story.
Example conversation
Kiran is asking Ravinder about their grandfather's location.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਰਵਿੰਦਰ, ਦਾਦਾ ਜੀ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹਨ?ravinder, dada ji kitthe han?Ravinder, where is grandpa?
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਦਾਦਾ ਜੀ ਬਾਗ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਨ।dada ji baag vich han.Grandpa is in the garden.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਕੀ ਉਹ ਸੌ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ?ki oh sau rahe han?Is he sleeping?
- ਰਵਿੰਦਰ Ravinderਨਹੀਂ, ਉਹ ਫੁੱਲ ਦੇਖ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ।nahin, oh phull dekh rahe han.No, he is looking at the flowers.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ਦਾਦਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਦਾਦਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
