Family Relationships in English and Hindi: Why One Word Becomes Many

Family vocabulary looks easy until you notice that Hindi is far more precise than English. English says "uncle" for at least five different relatives. Hindi gives each one a name.

The simple pairs

English	Hindi
mother	माँ
father	पिता, पापा
brother	भाई
sister	बहन
son	बेटा
daughter	बेटी
husband	पति
wife	पत्नी
grandfather	दादा (father's side), नाना (mother's side)
grandmother	दादी (father's side), नानी (mother's side)

One English word, many Hindi words

Uncle can be:

• चाचा — father's younger brother
• ताऊ — father's elder brother
• मामा — mother's brother
• फूफा — father's sister's husband
• मौसा — mother's sister's husband

Aunt can be:

• चाची — wife of चाचा
• बुआ — father's sister
• मामी — wife of मामा
• मौसी — mother's sister

Cousin is usually specified in Hindi, for example चचेरा भाई (father's brother's son) or ममेरी बहन (mother's brother's daughter).

Translating from Hindi to English

When you read a Hindi sentence such as "मेरे मामा आ रहे हैं", the best English translation is "My uncle (my mother's brother) is coming". If the detail doesn't matter, "my uncle" is enough. If it does, add a short explanation.

Translating from English to Hindi

If someone says "my uncle", you may need to ask: "Your father's brother or your mother's brother?" Hindi speakers do this naturally because the relationship changes the word they use.

In-laws

• सास — mother-in-law
• ससुर — father-in-law
• बहू — daughter-in-law
• दामाद — son-in-law
• साला / साली — wife's brother / sister (use with care; साला is also used as a mild insult in casual speech)

Useful sentences

• She is my sister. — वह मेरी बहन है।
• I have two brothers. — मेरे दो भाई हैं।
• My grandfather lives in the village. — मेरे दादा गाँव में रहते हैं।

Tips

1. Learn Hindi terms in pairs, paternal and maternal.
2. Draw a family tree and label it in both languages.
3. Use the dictionary to check the exact Hindi meaning of "uncle" or "aunt" before translating.

Look up any word with English Hindi Dictionary →