Family

Family

BeginnerNeutralStandard

Maternal grandparents (mother's father and mother)

Nana-Nani

NAH-nah NAH-nee

About this phrase

Literally

maternal grandfather and maternal grandmother

When to use it

Use these specifically for your mother's parents. Bangla keeps maternal and paternal grandparents separate: your father's parents are dada-dadi, never nana-nani. The nana/nani pair is the standard usage in Bangladesh; many Hindu families, especially in West Bengal, say dadu and dida or didima for the mother's parents.

How it feels

Warm, affectionate everyday family terms.

Formality

Neutral

Grammar

Word by word

Examples

In a conversation

A

Tomar nana-nani kothay thaken?

Where do your maternal grandparents live?

B

Grame thaken

They live in the village

Common replies

Nana-nani kemon achhen?

How are your maternal grandparents?

Tomar nanabari kothay?

Where is your maternal grandparents' home?