நைனா

Tamil

Etymology

Borrowed from Telugu నాయన (nāyana).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /n̪ainaː/

Noun

நைனா • (naiṉā) (Madras Bashai)

1. father

   Synonyms: அப்பா (appā), தந்தை (tantai), தகப்பன் (takappaṉ), பிதா (pitā)

2. a term of endearment elders use towards their children

Usage notes

Using this term towards fatherly figures outside the said zones is often considered rude and disrespectful.