کَاکَا
kākā
The Dari word for uncle is کَاکَا (kākā). Wiktionary also lists ماما (mâmâ) and کَاکو (kākō).
Meaning: brother (or brother-in-law) of someone’s parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Dari | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| کَاکَا | kākā | |
| ماما | mâmâ | |
| کَاکو | kākō | dialectal, rare |
In Dari, the word used for uncle depends on which side of the family the person belongs to. The term کَاکَا is used specifically for a paternal uncle (your father's brother). It can also serve as an informal and friendly or respectful term of address for an older male peer or a man of similar social standing.
Which one should you use?
While کَاکَا refers to a paternal uncle, the word ماما is used specifically for a maternal uncle (your mother's brother).
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form کَاکو is a rare and dialectal variation of the word for uncle.
How do you pronounce it?
kākā
Did you know?
- Calling an older man کَاکَا can function as a friendly 'ice-breaker' in Afghan markets to establish a rapport of familial trust.
- If you use ماما to refer to an uncle, you are using a word that has deep roots in ancient Sanskrit and Dravidian languages.
Example sentences for Dari are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “uncle” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ماما, CC BY-SA 4.0.
