Bengalis use specific terms to refer to their grandmothers, with the choice of word depending on whether the grandmother is on the maternal or paternal side of the family. The most common terms are didima (দিদিমা) for the maternal grandmother and ṭhakuma (ঠাকুমা) for the paternal grandmother.
Understanding Bengali Terms for Grandmother
The Bengali language employs distinct kinship terms to clearly differentiate family members based on their lineage. This distinction is particularly important for grandparents.
- Maternal Grandmother (Mother's Mother): Bengalis affectionately call their maternal grandmother দিদিমা (didima). This term is widely recognized and used throughout Bengali-speaking regions.
- Paternal Grandmother (Father's Mother): The paternal grandmother is typically addressed as ঠাকুমা (ṭhakuma). This term also carries cultural significance in Bengali families.
These distinct terms highlight the structured nature of Bengali family relationships.
Common Terms for Grandmothers in Bengali
Relationship | Bengali Term | Transliteration |
---|---|---|
Grandmother (Mother's Mother) | দিদিমা | didima |
Grandmother (Father's Mother) | ঠাকুমা | ṭhakuma |
Practical Insight: While didima and ṭhakuma are the standard terms, variations might be heard in different regional dialects or as terms of endearment. However, these two terms are universally understood and used by Bengalis to refer to their grandmothers.