-ĉj- / -nj-

-ĉj- and -nj-: Pet Names

Level 5

Shorten the word and add -ĉj- for a male or -nj- for a female.

How It Works

WordPet nameMeaning
patropaĉjodad
patrinopanjomum
onklooĉjouncle
onklinoonjoaunt

Before -ĉj- and -nj- the word is shortened, usually to its first one to five letters. The same works for names: Johano gives Joĉjo. The ending -nj- replaces the -in- of a female word: patrino gives panjo.

Paĉjo and panjo are the warm, informal words for father and mother, and patro and patrino are the plain ones. When you talk about your own parents, these pet names work like names and take no la: Diru al paĉjo, ke mi venos.

Examples (4)

  1. Paĉjo laboras en Aŭstralio, kaj panjo vizitas lin ĉiun monaton.

    Dad works in Australia, and Mum visits him every month.

    Paĉjo and panjo are pet names for father and mother.

  2. Panjo, ĉu vi havas tempon por mi?

    Mum, do you have time for me?

    Panjo is used like a name when speaking to her.

  3. Mia nevo nomas min oĉjo.

    My nephew calls me uncle.

    Oĉjo is the pet name for onklo, and it has no -n because it names the same person as min.

  4. Mia onklino estas onjo por ĉiuj infanoj en la familio.

    My aunt is auntie to all the children in the family.

    Onjo is the pet name for onklino.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-ĉj- / -nj-Level 5-ĉj- and -nj-: Pet Names

Learn This First

The ending -ĉj- makes a pet name for a male relative.