What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ayah
Example
The ayah took care of the children while the parents were at work. [ayah: noun]
Example
She works as an ayah, helping with household chores and looking after the kids. [ayah: noun]
nanny
Example
They hired a nanny to take care of their toddler while they were at work. [nanny: noun]
Example
The nanny is responsible for picking up the kids from school and helping with homework. [nanny: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nanny is more commonly used than ayah in everyday English language. Nanny is a versatile term that can be used in various settings and locations, while ayah is more specific to certain cultural contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ayah and nanny?
While nanny is generally considered a more formal term, ayah can be seen as more informal or specific to certain cultural contexts.