Family

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