Family
BeginnerNeutralStandard
Uncle / Aunt (mother's brother and his wife)
Mama / Mami
MAH-mah / MAH-mee
About this phrase
Literally
Maternal uncle / his wife
When to use it
Used specifically for the mother's brother; mami is his wife. Mama is also a very common, friendly way to address a rickshaw-puller, a tea-stall owner or a shopkeeper, especially among students and younger people. Mami is not used for strangers that way.
How it feels
Warm and casual; widely used beyond blood relatives as a friendly form of address.
Formality
Familiar but respectful
Grammar
Word by word
Examples
In a conversation
Passenger
Mama, bhara koto?
Uncle, what's the fare?
Rickshaw puller
Trish taka lagbe
It'll cost thirty taka
Common replies
Thik achhe mama
Okay, uncle
Mama, ektu kom rakhen
Uncle, take a little less