Hindi Relationship Names
हिन्दी रिश्ते-नाते
Hindi has unique and specific names for every family relationship, distinguishing between maternal and paternal sides. Learn these beautiful terms to connect deeper with your heritage.
Immediate Family
नज़दीकी परिवार
Grandparents
दादा-दादी / नाना-नानी
Grandchildren
पोते-पोतियाँ / नाती-नातिन
Uncles & Aunts
चाचा-चाची / मामा-मामी
Nephews, Nieces & Cousins
भतीजे-भतीजियाँ / भांजे-भांजियाँ
In-Laws
ससुराल वाले
Frequently asked questions
What does Chacha mean in Hindi?
Chacha (चाचा) means your father's younger brother — a paternal uncle. His wife is called Chachi (चाची). Chacha is specifically for the younger brother; the elder brother is called Tau.
What is the difference between Chacha and Tau in Hindi?
Chacha (चाचा) is your father's younger brother, while Tau (ताऊ) is your father's elder brother. Hindi distinguishes between elder and younger paternal uncles — in English both are just 'uncle'.
What does Masi mean in Hindi?
Masi or Mausi (मौसी) means your mother's sister — a maternal aunt. Her husband is called Mausa (मौसा). Masi is the maternal-side counterpart to Bua, who is your father's sister.
What does Bua mean in Hindi?
Bua (बुआ) means your father's sister — a paternal aunt. Her husband is called Phupha or Phoopha (फूफा). Bua is the paternal-side counterpart to Masi.
What is the difference between Nani and Dadi in Hindi?
Dadi (दादी) is your paternal grandmother — your father's mother. Nani (नानी) is your maternal grandmother — your mother's mother. Their husbands are Dada (father's father) and Nana (mother's father).
What does Mama mean in Hindi?
Mama (मामा) means your mother's brother — a maternal uncle. His wife is called Mami (मामी). Mama is the maternal-side counterpart to Chacha/Tau, who are your father's brothers.
What does Samdhi mean in Hindi?
Samdhi (समधी) is your co-father-in-law — the father of your child's spouse. Samdhan (समधन) is the female equivalent (your child's spouse's mother). These terms describe the relationship between two sets of parents after their children marry.
What does Sadhu mean as a Hindi relationship?
Sadhu (साढ़ू) means your wife's sister's husband — your brother-in-law through your wife's side. It's distinct from Jija, which is your own sister's husband.
Looking for the Punjabi version?
Punjabi Relationship Names → ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਰਿਸ਼ਤੇ-ਨਾਤੇ