நைனா
Tamil
Etymology
From Spoken Telugu నైనా (nainā), ultimately from Telugu నాయన (nāyana).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /n̪aɪ̯naː/, [n̪ɐɪ̯naː]
Noun
நைனா • (naiṉā) (Madras Bashai)
- father
- Synonyms: அப்பா (appā), தந்தை (tantai), தகப்பன் (takappaṉ), பிதா (pitā)
- 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.