काका
kākā
The Nepali word for uncle is काका (kākā).
The term काका refers specifically to a paternal uncle, which is your father's brother. Beyond family relations, it is also used as a polite way to address older men in social settings even if you are not related to them.
Meaning: brother (or brother-in-law) of someone’s parent (noun)
Which one should you use?
While काका is used for a paternal uncle, the term मामा is used specifically to refer to a maternal uncle (your mother's brother).
How do you pronounce it?
kākā
When do people say it?
In Nepali culture, it is common to use काका as a polite way to address older men who are not relatives.
Did you know?
- Nepali kinship terms are so specific that there are different words for an uncle depending on whether he is older or younger than your father.
- In Nepal, calling a stranger काका is not just polite but a way to create a 'pseudo-kinship' bond. This transforms a formal interaction into a familial one to establish trust and warmth.
- The word काका is borrowed from a Dravidian language via Middle Indo-Aryan. This shows an ancient linguistic exchange between the Indo-Aryan and Dravidian language families in South Asia.
Examples in context
- काका, के छ खबर?Uncle, how are you?
- मेरो काका राम्रो हुनुहुन्छ।mero kaka ramro hunuhunchha.My uncle is a good person.
- काका घरमा हुनुहुन्छ?kaka gharma hunuhunchha?Is uncle at home?
- ती काका कहाँ बस्नुहुन्छ?ti kaka kaha basnuhunchha?Where does that uncle live?
Example conversation
Sumit and Anita are talking about Sumit's relative.
- सुमित Sumitअनीता, मेरो काका आउँदै हुनुहुन्छ।Anita, mero kaka aundai hunuhunchha.Anita, my uncle is coming.
- अनीता Anitaके काका धेरै टाढाबाट आउनुभएको हो?Ke kaka dherai tadhabata aunubhayeko ho?Is uncle coming from very far away?
- सुमित Sumitहो, काका टाढाबाट आउनुभएको हो।Ho, kaka tadhabata aunubhayeko ho.Yes, uncle is coming from far away.
- अनीता Anitaत्यसो भए त धेरै राम्रो भयो।Tyaso bhaye ta dherai ramro bhayo.In that case, that is very good.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries काका, CC BY-SA 4.0.
