Sep 27, 2008 20:19
15 yrs ago
Urdu term
baba
Urdu to English
Other
Other
Item of Vocabulary
Greetings,
I don't know how to write this in Urdu so please write it for me in Urdu script.
The odd thing is that I had assumed it meant “father” as is the case in Persian and Chinese, but in the book I am reading it is used by a fisherman to a child for whom the fisherman obviously feels contempt…
Best wishes,
Simon
I don't know how to write this in Urdu so please write it for me in Urdu script.
The odd thing is that I had assumed it meant “father” as is the case in Persian and Chinese, but in the book I am reading it is used by a fisherman to a child for whom the fisherman obviously feels contempt…
Best wishes,
Simon
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +6 | بابا |
u2me2them
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| 5 +1 | بابا |
Irshad Muhammad
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Proposed translations
+6
5 hrs
Selected
بابا
This word which is also sometimes used as a name, means father/wise one/old man/.... sometimes used for 'pious one' or Guru like, e.g: 'Sai baba'.
... yes, when a person is reluctant to give in or end a conversation, it can also be used as my learned colleague states.. 'leave it man' or 'ok boss'!... sarcastically addressing that person as being wise.
It is also;
used as a sirname (or first name);
... like; Ali baba and the 40 thieves
..........but careful... it's also the name of a lebanese dish:
''Baba Ghanouj'' (spoilt daddy) - Egg plant/aubergine dip
It's pretty much universal as meaning father/daddy (in a respectful way) as it's quite commonly the first word to come out of baby's mouth as they start speech... and I'm not talking about 'baba black sheep...' that's merely focusing on sheep talk!
...check out the link below for many more 'baba' meanings!!
.......... I have also heard this being used in terms of 'older brother' in some Northern regions of Pakistan... but not too sure??
... yes, when a person is reluctant to give in or end a conversation, it can also be used as my learned colleague states.. 'leave it man' or 'ok boss'!... sarcastically addressing that person as being wise.
It is also;
used as a sirname (or first name);
... like; Ali baba and the 40 thieves
..........but careful... it's also the name of a lebanese dish:
''Baba Ghanouj'' (spoilt daddy) - Egg plant/aubergine dip
It's pretty much universal as meaning father/daddy (in a respectful way) as it's quite commonly the first word to come out of baby's mouth as they start speech... and I'm not talking about 'baba black sheep...' that's merely focusing on sheep talk!
...check out the link below for many more 'baba' meanings!!
.......... I have also heard this being used in terms of 'older brother' in some Northern regions of Pakistan... but not too sure??
Example sentence:
اچھا بابا، کل سیر پہ ضرور چلیں گے
Nargis thanked Sharif baba, left him a few pesas and went her way.
Reference:
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Sajjad Hamadani
1 hr
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Many many thanks!
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| agree |
Asghar Bhatti
10 hrs
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Thank you so much Asghar sahib!
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| agree |
Irshad Muhammad
13 hrs
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Very kind of you Irshad sahib, many thanks!
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| agree |
Ramesh Bhatt
1 day 2 hrs
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Shukriya Ramesh sahib!
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| agree |
Rahi Moosavi
: Very informative!
1 day 3 hrs
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So kind of you, thanks!
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| agree |
Rajan Chopra
: good and comprehensive explanation
2 days 11 hrs
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Highly appreciated!!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "many thanks excellent"
+1
3 hrs
Irshad Muhammad
Pakistan
Pakistan
Native in Urdu
Works in field
Pakistan
Uk-educated, Native Urdu speaker
Native in: Urdu 
Works in: English to Urdu, Urdu to English, Urdu
بابا
The word ‘baba ’carries different meanings and is spoken in different situations. Yes, in some families/regions it is used for father as well. Sometimes, the word is also used for elderly men. In some situations, it is also used amongst the equals and even for the youngsters in a light and jolly mood and means as friend/sweetie e.g. “Leave it man"=Choro baba. I guess the last elaboration has been used in the text where you were confused.
Discussion
Thanks for the entry. Hope this helps:
I'm fairly certain that doesn't happen in Urdu. Are you reading the book in Urdu text... if you could just put a clip of the surrounding text here, that would be great and possibly easier to understand and explain.
Other than that, it's difficult to say without getting the story of the fisherman and the child, why that term is being used to address a child. Again... it could either be used as a name.. but you would know that as your reading the book, or; most likely... in the fed up sense: 'o.k.. i give up baba (boss) as u say.'
so, waiting for your reply,
Naseera
In both Turkish and Persian, an adult speaking to a child will sometimes use the term he expects the child to address him with as a term of address for the child.
So, for example, in Turkish, a big sister will call her brother "Big Sister" just to establish the relationship.
Does this happen in Urdu? Could it be that "baba" as used to mean "child" is an example of this?
Many thanks for the excellent help,
Simon