孫
mago[ma̠ɡo̞]
The Japanese word for grandchild is 孫 (mago).
孫 is a common term for grandchild that encompasses both grandsons and granddaughters.
Meaning: child of one’s child (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
mago
Did you know?
- While 孫 means grandchild, the term 孫の手 refers to a backscratcher, literally meaning 'grandchild's hand'.
- The modern reading of 孫 as 'mago' is actually a shortened version of its original pronunciation, 'umago'.
- If you are talking about your own grandchild to a superior, you would never use 'omago-san', as adding honorifics to your own family members can be seen as boastful or impolite.
Examples in context
- 孫は八つだよ。My grandchild is eight.This sentence is useful for stating the age of your 孫.Tatoeba #10798105 by small_snow, translation #11223742 by pip
- 孫は八歳なのよ。My grandchild is eight years old.Tatoeba #10798106 by small_snow, translation #11031613 by DJ_Saidez
- あなたの孫はどこ？Where's your grandchild?This sentence is useful for asking the location of someone's 孫.Tatoeba #7459044 by Ninja, translation #7467317 by CM
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are looking at old family photographs together.
- 結衣 Yuiこの子はあなたの孫ですか？Kono ko wa anata no mago desu ka?Is this child your grandchild?
- 蓮 Renはい、とても可愛い孫です。Hai, totemo kawaii mago desu.Yes, it is a very cute grandchild.
- 結衣 Yui本当にかわいいですね。Hontou ni kawaii desu ne.They really are cute.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandchild” translations and entries 孫, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 孫, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
