BosanskiBosnian family words
Bosnian has a word for every relative. English has uncle.
Grandma is nana and grandpa is dedo. Uncles depend on which side they are on: amidža is your father's brother, daidža your mother's brother.
The core family
| Audio | Bosnian | English |
|---|---|---|
| porodica | family | |
| mama | mom | |
| tata | dad | |
| nana | grandma | |
| dedo | grandpa | |
| brat | brother | |
| sestra | sister | |
| sin | son | |
| djeca | children / kids |
Aunts, uncles and cousins
| Audio | Bosnian | English |
|---|---|---|
| amidža | uncle (father's brother) | |
| daidža | uncle (mother's brother) | |
| tetka | aunt (parent's sister) | |
| rođak / rođaka | cousin (m. / f.) | |
| rodbina | relatives / extended family |
English has one word for uncle. Bosnian tells you exactly whose brother he is. amidža is your father's brother, and daidža is your mother's brother. tetka covers your parents' sisters. rodbina is the whole extended family, which at a Bosnian wedding is roughly everyone.
Calling out to family
When you speak to someone, Bosnian changes the end of the word. Nana becomes Nano!, sister becomes sestro!, brother becomes brate!. It is called the vocative, and getting it right is one of the fastest ways to sound like family.
| Audio | Bosnian | English |
|---|---|---|
| Nano! | Nana! (calling her) | |
| sine! | son! (dear) | |
| brate! | brother! / bro! | |
| sestro! | sister! | |
| mama! | mom! | |
| tata! | dad! |
Questions
What is grandma in Bosnian?
Nana. When you call out to her directly, it becomes nano.
What is the difference between amidža and daidža?
Amidža is your father's brother. Daidža is your mother's brother.
What does tetka mean?
Aunt: the sister of your mother or father.