Family relationships hold a special place in Nepali culture, and the terms used to describe them reflect the deep bonds of love and respect. Knowing the Nepali names for family members is essential for anyone learning the language or connecting with Nepali-speaking communities. In this post, we will explore common family relationship names in Nepali, along with example sentences in English and Nepali.
Here are some examples of family relationship names in Nepali from my Udemy course, “Study Nepali Language”.
Essential Nepali Terms for Family and Relationships
Family: परिवार (pariwar)
Relation: नाता/सम्बन्ध (nata/sambandha)
Relative: नातेदार (natedar)
Parent: अभिभावक (abhibhawak)
Generation: पुस्ता (pusta)
Own brother/sister etc: साक्खै (saakkhai)
Common Nepali Terms for Family Members and Relationships
In Nepali, family members are addressed with unique terms that reflect their specific roles and relationships within the family. Understanding these terms can help you connect with Nepali-speaking people on a deeper level and appreciate the cultural importance of family.
Grandfather: हजुरबुबा/बाजे (hajur-buba/baaje)
Grandmother: हजुरआमा/बज्यै (hajur-aama/bajyai)
Grandson: नाति (nati)
Granddaughter: नातिनी (natini)
Father: बुबा/बाउ (buba/bau)
Mother: आमा (ama)
Husband: श्रीमान्/लोग्ने (shreeman/logne)
Wife: श्रीमती/स्वास्नी (shreemati/swasni)
Spouse: पति/पत्नी (pati/patni)
Son: छोरा (chora)
Daughter: छोरी/पुत्री (chori/putri)
Child: बच्चा (baccha)
Children: बच्चाहरु (bacchaharu)
Siblings: भाई बहिनीहरू (bhai bahiniharu)
Elder brother: दाई (dai)
Younger brother: भाई (bhai)
Elder sister: दिदी (didi)
Younger sister: बहिनी (bahini)
Understanding Nepali Terms for in-laws family members
In Nepali, family relations are very important, and each in-law is referred to with specific terms based on their relation. Knowing these terms can help you better communicate with your extended family in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner.
Brother-in-law (elder sister’s husband): भिनाजु (bhinaju)
Brother-in-law (younger sister’s husband): ज्वाईं (jwai)
Sister-in-law (elder brother’s wife): भाउजू (bhauju)
Sister-in-law (younger brother’s wife): बुहारी (buhari)
Son-in-law: ज्वाईं (jwai)
Daughter-in-law: बुहारी (buhari)
Key Nepali Terms for Nephew and Niece
In Nepali, there are distinct terms used to refer to nephews and nieces, depending on whether they are the children of a brother or a sister. Understanding these terms will help you navigate family conversations more easily.
Nephew (brother’s son): भतिजा (bhatija)
Niece (brother’s daughter): भतिजी (bhatiji)
Nephew (sister’s son): भान्जा (bhanja)
Niece (sister’s daughter): भान्जी (bhanji)
Understanding Nepali Terms for Uncles and Aunts
In Nepali culture, specific terms are used to address uncles and aunts based on their relationship to your father. For example, Uncle (father’s elder brother) is called ठूलोबुवा (thulobuwa), while Uncle (father’s younger brother) is referred to as काका (kaka). These terms reflect the family hierarchy and respect that Nepali society places on relationships.
Uncle: ठूलोबुवा/काका (thulobuwa/kaka)
Aunt: ठुलीआमा/काकी (thuliama/kaki)
Uncle (father’s elder brother): ठूलोबुवा (thulobuwa)
Uncle (father’s younger brother): काका (kaka)
Aunt (father’s elder brother’s wife): ठुलीआमा (thuliama)
Aunt (father’s younger brother’s wife): काकी (kaki)
Aunt (father’s sister): फुपू (phupu)
Uncle (father’s sister’s husband): फुपाजु (phupaju)
Common Nepali Terms for Step Family Members
In Nepali, step family members have specific terms to denote their relationship.
These terms are important for addressing step relations respectfully and accurately. For example, a step father is called सौतेलो बुबा (sautelo buba), and a step mother is known as सौतेलो आमा (sautelo ama). These terms help navigate the complexities of relationships within stepfamilies in Nepali-speaking communities.
Step father: सौतेलो बुबा (sautelo buba)
Step mother: सौतेलो आमा (sautelo ama)
Step son: सौतेलो छोरो (sautelo choro)
Step daughter: सौतेली छोरी (sauteli chori)
Step brother (elder): सौतेलो दाई (sautelo dai)
Step sister (elder): सौतेली दिदी (sauteli didi)
Step brother (younger): सौतेलो भाई (sautelo bhai)
Step sister (younger): सौतेली बहिनी (sauteli bahini)
Adopted son: धर्म पुत्र (dharma putra)
Adopted daughter: धर्म पुत्री (dharma putri)
Key Nepali Terms for Family Members on Mother’s Side
Understanding the terms used for family members on the mother’s side is essential for grasping the nuances of Nepali culture. The term for maternal uncle (mother’s brother) is मामा (mama), while maternal aunt (mother’s brother’s wife) is referred to as माइजू (maiju). These specific terms highlight the importance of maternal relationships in Nepali society and offer insight into the family structure. Learning these words will not only enhance your vocabulary but also deepen your understanding of family dynamics in Nepali-speaking communities.
Grandfather (mother’s father): हजुरबुबा (hajur-buwa)
Grandmother (mother’s mother): हजुरआमा (hajur-ama)
Maternal uncle (mother’s brother): मामा (mama)
Maternal aunt (mother’s brother’s wife): माइजू (maiju)
Essential Nepali Terms for Family Members on Husband’s Side”
Navigating family relationships on the husband’s side is an important aspect of understanding Nepali culture. These specific terms reflect the respect and significance of familial roles within Nepali society. By familiarizing yourself with these words, you can enhance your communication and deepen your appreciation of family dynamics in Nepali-speaking communities.
Father-in-law (husband’s father): ससुरा (sasura)
Mother-in-law (husband’s mother): सासू (sasu)
Brother-in-law (husband’s elder brother): जेठाजु (jethaju)
Brother-in-law (husband’s younger brother): देवर (dewar)
Sister-in-law (husband’s elder brother’s wife): जेठानी (jethani)
Sister-in-law (husband’s younger brother’s wife): देवरानी (dewarani)
Sister-in-law (husband’s elder sister): आमाजू (amaju)
Sister-in-law (husband’s younger sister): नन्द (nanda)
Understanding Nepali Terms for Family Members on Wife’s Side
Exploring family relationships on the wife’s side is vital for a comprehensive understanding of Nepali culture and social dynamics. They have specific Nepali equivalents, reflecting the respect and significance these roles hold in family structures. Familiarizing yourself with these terms will enhance your understanding and appreciation of the importance of family ties in Nepali-speaking communities.
Father-in-law (wife’s father): ससुरा (sasura)
Mother-in-law (wife’s mother): सासु (sasu)
Brother-in-law (wife’s elder brother): जेठान (jethan)
Brother-in-law (wife’s younger brother): सालो (salo)/साला (sala)
Sister-in-law (wife’s elder sister): जेठीसासू (jethisasu)
Sister-in-law (wife’s younger sister): साली (sali)
Example Sentences:
Father – बुबा (Buba) or बाबा (Baba)
English: My father is very kind.
Nepali: Mero buba dherai dayalu hunuhunchha. (मेरो बुबा धेरै दयालु हुनुहुन्छ।)
Mother – आमा (Aama)
English: My mother cooks delicious food.
Nepali: Meri aama mitho khana pakkaunu hunuhunchha. (मेरी आमा मिठो खाना पकाउनुहुन्छ।)
Brother – दाजु (Daju) for elder brother, भाइ (Bhai) for younger brother
English: My older brother is very tall.
Nepali: Mero daju dherai aglo chha. (मेरो दाजु धेरै अग्लो छ।)
Sister – दिदी (Didi) for elder sister, बहिनी (Bahini) for younger sister
English: My younger sister loves to read.
Nepali: Meri bahini padhna man parauchhin. (मेरी बहिनी पढ्न मन पराउँछिन्।)
Grandfather – हजुरबा (Hajurbuba)
English: My grandfather tells great stories.
Nepali: Mero hajurbuba ramro katha bhannuhunchha. (मेरा हजुरबुवा राम्रो कथा भन्नुहुन्छ।)
Grandmother – हजुरआमा (Hajuraama)
English: My grandmother knits beautiful sweaters.
Nepali: Meri hajuraama ramro sweater bunnuhunchha. (मेरी हजुरआमा राम्रो स्वेटर बुन्नुहुन्छ।)
Uncle – काका (Kaka) for paternal uncle, मामा (Mama) for maternal uncle
English: My uncle lives in Kathmandu.
Nepali: Mero kaka Kathmandu basnuhunchha. (मेरा काका काठमाडौँ बस्नुहुन्छ।)
Aunt – काकी (Kaki) for paternal aunt, माइजु (Maiju) for maternal aunt
English: My aunt loves to travel.
Nepali: Meri kaki yatra garna man parauchhin. (मेरी काकी यात्रा गर्न मन पराउँछिन्।)
Conclusion
Learning family relationship names in Nepali is a great way to connect with the language and culture. These terms reflect the strong familial bonds in Nepali society, and using them correctly can enhance communication, whether you’re speaking with Nepali family members or traveling through the country. With practice, you’ll soon be comfortable using these names in daily conversations. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to expand your vocabulary, understanding these family terms will deepen your appreciation for the Nepali language and its cultural significance. Keep practicing and immerse yourself in the beauty of Nepali relationships!