जानू
jānūaffectionate, couples
A common Hindi pet name for a sweetheart is जानू (jānū). मेरी जान (merī jān), meaning my life, is also very common, and प्रिय (priya) is a written, formal word for dear.
Meaning: term of endearment (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| जानू | jānū | affectionate, couples |
| मेरी जान | merī jān | affectionate |
| प्रिय | priya | formal, written |
जानू (jānū) and जान (jān) are used between partners and sometimes with children. Using them with a stranger would sound odd.
Which one should you use?
प्रिय (priya) opens letters, as in प्रिय रवि (priya Ravi), dear Ravi. It is not a spoken pet name.
Did you know?
- जान (jān) means life, so मेरी जान (merī jān) literally says my life.
Examples in context
- जानू, खाना खा लिया?jānū, khānā khā liyā?Sweetheart, did you eat?
- तुम मेरी जान हो।tum merī jān ho.You are my sweetheart.
Example conversation
Rahul calls his wife Anita from his office.
- Rahulहैलो जानू, कैसी हो?hailo jānū, kaisī ho?Hello sweetheart, how are you?
- Anitaठीक हूँ, तुम खाना खा लो।ṭhīk hūṁ, tum khānā khā lo.I am fine, you go and eat.
- Rahulअभी जाता हूँ।abhī jātā hūṁ.I am going now.
