ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ
chikkappa
The Kannada word for uncle is ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ (chikkappa).
In Kannada, instead of using a single generic word for uncle, specific terms are used based on the person's relationship to the parents. ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ refers specifically to a younger paternal uncle.
Meaning: brother (or brother-in-law) of someone’s parent (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ is a compound of chikku, meaning small or younger and appa, meaning father. It literally translates to 'younger father'.
Which one should you use?
While ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ refers to a younger paternal uncle, the term ದೊಡ್ಡಪ್ಪ (literally 'elder father') is used to refer to an older paternal uncle.
How do you pronounce it?
chikkappa
Did you know?
- While ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ is for paternal uncles, maternal uncles are called ಮಾವ (maava), a word that also doubles as the term for 'father-in-law'.
- In many social settings, an adult might address a shopkeeper or a neighbor as ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ to establish a sense of communal closeness and politeness.
- The word ಅಪ್ಪ (appa) used in ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ is a cognate with the English word 'papa', though it evolved independently within the Dravidian language family.
Examples in context
- ನನ್ನ ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ ತುಂಬಾ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯವರು.nanna cikkappa tumbā oḷḷeyavaru.My uncle is very kind.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ ಅವರ ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ ಎಲ್ಲಿ?abhiṣēk avara cikkappa elli?Where is Abhishek's uncle?
Example conversation
Kavya and Abhishek are talking about their family gathering.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekನಿಮ್ಮ ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ ಇಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಬರುತ್ತಾರಾ?nimma chikkappa illige baruttara?Will your uncle come here?
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಹೌದು, ಚಿಕ್ಕಪ್ಪ ನಾಳೆ ಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ.haudu, chikkappa nale baruttare.Yes, uncle will come tomorrow.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekಅವರು ಏನು ತರುತ್ತಾರೆ?avaru enu taruttare?What will he bring?
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಅವರು ಸಿಹಿತಿಂಡಿ ತರುತ್ತಾರೆ.avaru sihitindi taruttare.He will bring sweets.
