nagyapa
[ˈnɒɟɒpɒ]
The English phrase 'grandfather' is translated into Hungarian as nagyapa.
nagyapa is a noun used to refer to a grandfather from either side.
Meaning: grandfather (from either side) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of nagy (big/great) and apa (father).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term nagypapi is a common, affectionate way for children to address their grandfather. Additionally, the diminutive form nagyi is often used as a cute or affectionate term for both grandfathers and grandmothers.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'my grandfather', you add the possessive suffix '-m' to the end of the word to get nagyapám. The plural form of nagyapa is nagyapák, and adding the dative suffix results in nagyapáknak.
Did you know?
- Hungarian has a specific way of expressing 'great-grandfather' by adding another nagy to the front, creating nagy-nagyapa.
- When using the possessive form nagyapám, the word 'my' is built directly into the end of the noun rather than being a separate word placed before it.
- The word nagy in nagyapa does not mean 'big' in size, but 'great' in terms of seniority or rank within the family tree.
Examples in context
- A nagyapa halálán van.The grandfather is on his deathbed.This sentence shows the use of nagyapa in a context regarding a person's passing.Tatoeba #4468170 by maaster, translation #4468027 by AlanF_US
- Tom megint nagyapa lesz.Tom's going to be a grandfather again.This sentence illustrates the use of nagyapa when referring to the state of becoming a grandfather.Tatoeba #10945805 by H_Liliom, translation #3654720 by patgfisher
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandfather” translations and entries nagyapa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
