Nepali Familial Relationships (Immediate Family)

As in many South Asian cultures, Nepali relational terms is very family-centric, respect-based, and gendered. As you venture beyond immediate family, terms change depending on the family member’s relation to you paternally or maternally. In this lesson, we will go over terms for immediate family and how some of these terms are used colloquially for non-family members.

Father =  बाबा (bābā)
Mother = आमा (āmā)
*There are no terms for step-mother or step-father as this is very uncommon

Grandfather = बाजे (bāje); हजुरबुवा (hajurbuwā)
Grandmother = बज्यै (bajyai); हजुरआमा (hajurāmā)
*The terms for Grandfather and Grandmother are the same on both sides of the family. It is also not uncommon to refer to people who are much older than you and not related to you as hajurbuwa or hajurama.

Granddaughter = नातिनी (nātinī)
Grandson = नाति (nāti)

Elder brother = दाइ (dāi)
*Dai is also a friendly term for any older male in your life. You may refer to a older male friend or colleague as Dai. Additionally, if you walk into a tea shop or food stall, it is common to refer to this stranger as Dai.

Older male = जेठो (Jēṭhō)
*This word is used to distinguish an older male sibling. You would not call your older brother Jetho Dai, instead this is used to describe their relationship to you. For example, if someone asks about your brother’s names, you would distinguish the older from the younger: “Mero jetho dai ko naam John ho” “My older brother’s name is John”.

Elder sister = दिदी (didī)
*As with Dai, Didi is also a friendly term for any older non-relative woman in your life. You may refer to a older female friend, colleague, or stranger as Didi.

Older female = जेठी (Jēṭhī)
*This word is used to distinguish an oldest female sibling. You would not call your oldest sister Jethi Didi, instead this is used to describe their relationship to you. For example, if someone asks about your sister’s names, you would distinguish the oldest from the others: “Mero jethi didi ko naam Sara ho” “My oldest sister’s name is Sara”.

Younger brother = भाइ (bhāi)
*As well as a direct term for your younger brother, Bhai is also friendly term for all younger males who are not related to you.

Younger male = कान्छो (kānchhō)
*This word is used to distinguish an younger male sibling or son. You would not call your youngest brother kanchho bhai, instead this is used to describe their relationship to you. For example, if someone asks about your brother’s names, you would distinguish the youngest from the others: “Mero kanchho bhai ko naam Ram ho” “My youngest brother’s name is Ram”. Further, if he is the youngest family member, or male in the social setting, people may refer to him (or you) as Kanchho as a term of endearment.

Younger sister = बहिनी (bahinī)
**As well as a direct term for your younger sister, Bahini is also friendly term for all younger females who are not related to you.

Younger female = कान्छी (Kānchhī)
**This word is used to distinguish an youngest female sibling or daughter. You would not call your youngest sister kanchhi bahini, instead this is used to describe their relationship to you/refer to them. For example, if someone asks about your sister’s names, you would distinguish the youngest from the rest: “Mero kanchhi bahini ko naam Rama ho” “My youngest sister’s name is Rama”. Further, if she is the youngest family member, or female in the social setting, people may refer to her (or you) as Kanchhi as a term of endearment.

Daughter =  छोरी (chorī)
Son =  छोरा (chorā)

Husband = श्रीमान् (śrīmān) or बुढा (buḍhā)
Wife = श्रीमती (śrīmatī) or बुढी (buḍhī)
*Budha and Budhi translate to old-man and old-woman. It is more polite to ask about someone’s husband or wife using sriman or srimati. They (or you) may refer to their spouse as budha or budhi.

Practice your knowledge of immediate familial terms below. Flashcards will show the Nepali word. Please type the English translation: