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Standing at a wedding, on a family call, filling a form — and blanking on whether it’s मामा, चाचा, or ताऊ? You’re not alone. Hindi has a precise word for every relative. Find yours in two taps.
In English, one word covers four relatives. In Hindi, the word changes with whose side they’re on and whether they’re older or younger. Pick the word you’re stuck on:
Which uncle do you mean?
Pick an option to see the exact Hindi word.
father
Your father (papa / पापा in everyday speech).
father's father
Your paternal grandfather.
Their partner: दादी dādī — father's mother
father's ELDER brother
Your father's older brother — not the same word as his younger brother.
Their partner: ताई tāī — wife of father's elder brother
father's YOUNGER brother
Your father's younger brother.
Their partner: चाची chāchī — wife of father's younger brother
father's sister
Your father's sister (also फूफी).
Their partner: फूफा phūphā — husband of father's sister
It isn’t to confuse you — it’s that Hindi families name two things English ignores:
Learn that, and the long list stops being a list — it becomes a simple map of your family.
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