Urdu words
Urdu family words: Nani, Dadi, Khala, Phuppo and who's who
Urdu has a word for each side of the family. The whole family tree with audio: Nani and Nana, Dadi and Dada, Khala and Mamu, Phuppo, Chacha and Taya, plus how to say how they're related.
English has one word, “grandma”, for two different people. Urdu has two, and children love learning which is which. Getting the family words right is also one of the fastest ways for a child to make grandparents smile.
Words with a play button have Bulbul’s narration; the rest you can hear in the app.
The family tree, side by side
| Mom’s side | Dad’s side | |
|---|---|---|
| Grandmother | Nani نانی (Grandma (mom's mom)) | Dadi دادی (Grandma (dad's mom)) |
| Grandfather | Nana نانا (Grandpa (mom's dad)) | Dada دادا (Grandpa (dad's dad)) |
| Aunt | Khala خالہ (Aunt (mom's sister)) | Phuppo پھوپھو (Aunt (dad's sister)) |
| Uncle | Mamu ماموں (Uncle (mom's brother)) | Chacha چچا (Uncle (dad's younger brother)) and Taya تایا (Uncle (dad's older brother)) |
Dad’s brothers get two different words depending on age: Chacha is younger than dad, and Taya is older.
Closer to home
- Ammi امی (Mom) and Abu ابو (Dad). Many families say Amma, Abbu or Abba; use whatever your family uses.
- Bhai بھائی (Brother) and Behen بہن (Sister)
How to say how they’re related
Once your child knows the names, teach the relationship. These short sentences are exactly how Bulbul explains it:
- Nani — Ammi ki Ammi نانی — امی کی امی (Nani is Mom's mom)
- Dadi — Abu ki Ammi دادی — ابو کی امی (Dadi is Dad's mom)
- Khala — Ammi ki behen خالہ — امی کی بہن (Khala is Mom's sister)
- Phuppo — Abu ki behen پھوپھو — ابو کی بہن (Phuppo is Dad's sister)
- Mamu — Ammi ke bhai ماموں — امی کے بھائی (Mamu is Mom's brother)
- Chacha — Abu ke chhotay bhai چچا — ابو کے چھوٹے بھائی (Chacha is Dad's younger brother)
- Taya — Abu ke baray bhai تایا — ابو کے بڑے بھائی (Taya is Dad's older brother)
Notice the pattern: Ammi ki Ammi means “Mom’s mom”, and Abu ke Abu means “Dad’s dad”.
Words of respect
Urdu shows respect with small words. Children use aap (the respectful “you”) with elders, and answer with jee:
- Aap kaise hain? آپ کیسے ہیں؟ (How are you?)
- Jee haan جی ہاں (Yes (polite))
- Jee nahin جی نہیں (No (polite))
A game to practise
Get out a family photo album or open your phone’s photos:
- Point to someone and name them in Urdu: “Nani!”
- Then ask Nani kahan hain? نانی کہاں ہیں؟ (Where is Nani?) and let your child point.
- Swap roles. Let your child ask you.
Small children love being the one who asks the questions.
Learn the family with Bulbul
Bulbul’s family lessons teach all of these words with pictures, then the relationships between them, then a short chat with the family characters. You can hear every family word in our family words library, or see how Bulbul teaches.
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between Nani and Dadi?
Nani is your mother's mother. Dadi is your father's mother. In the same way, Nana is your mother's father and Dada is your father's father.
What do you call your father's brother in Urdu?
It depends on his age. Your father's younger brother is Chacha, and his older brother is Taya. Your mother's brother is Mamu.
What is the difference between Khala and Phuppo?
Khala is your mother's sister. Phuppo is your father's sister. Families spell them in different ways, such as Phuphi, Phupho or Phupo.
