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?