ਪੜਦਾਦਾ ਜੀPardadajiPaternal Great-Grandfather
Pardadaji (ਪੜਦਾਦਾ ਜੀ) is your paternal great-grandfather — the father of your Dada, your father's grandfather in the male line. The prefix par- pushes any grandparent term back one generation.
How your Pardadaji connects to you
Who is your Pardadaji?
Punjabi families measure their depth in generations, and a living Pardada means four generations under one roof — chaar pirhian — considered a rare blessing worth photographing at every wedding. Even after his lifetime the Pardada matters practically: village land records and family trees trace ownership and lineage through him, and his name is the one elders reach for when two strangers work out whether they are related.
How it's used
Great-grandchildren address him as Pardada ji, though in families lucky enough to have one, everyday speech often simplifies to Dada ji for both elders. Example: "Saade pardada ji ne eh ghar banaya si" — "Our great-grandfather built this house."
Where Pardadaji comes from
The par- prefix (Sanskrit para, 'beyond') adds a generation: pardada is your dada's father.
Pardadaji vs similar terms
Pardada sits on the father's side; the mother's-side equivalent is Parnana. The split mirrors Dada versus Nana one generation down — Punjabi never lets go of the paternal-maternal distinction, no matter how far back the tree goes.
Frequently asked questions
What does Pardadaji mean in Punjabi?
Pardadaji (ਪੜਦਾਦਾ ਜੀ) means paternal great-grandfather — your father's paternal grandfather, or the father of your Dada. The par- prefix adds a generation to Dada.
What is the difference between Pardada and Parnana?
Both are great-grandfathers. The Pardada belongs to your father's line — your Dada's father — while the Parnana is on your mother's side. The base words Dada and Nana carry the same split.
What are a Pardada's great-grandchildren called?
Through a son's line, the Pardada's great-grandson is his Parpota and great-granddaughter his Parpoti — the same par- prefix applied going down the tree instead of up.
Related terms
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