おじいさん
ojīsanpolite, everyday
In hiragana, "grandfather" is おじいさん (ojīsan) in everyday speech. Children and families often say おじいちゃん (ojīchan), and そふ (sofu) is the formal word for your own grandfather.
Meaning: grandfather (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| おじいさん | ojīsan | polite, everyday |
| おじいちゃん | ojīchan | affectionate |
| そふ | sofu | formal, own grandfather |
Which one should you use?
おじいさん (ojīsan) is also used for an elderly man you do not know, so context matters. そふ (sofu) is used when you talk about your own grandfather to someone outside the family.
How do you pronounce it?
Hold the いい (ii) for two beats. おじさん (ojisan), with a short vowel, means "uncle" or "middle aged man", so the length changes the meaning.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use そふ (sofu) to address him. You call him おじいちゃん (ojīchan) or おじいさん (ojīsan) to his face.
Did you know?
- A grandfather is often called おじいちゃん (ojīchan) by children all over Japan, and the same word is used for both sides of the family.
Examples in context
- おじいさんは げんきです。Ojīsan wa genki desu.My grandfather is well.
- おじいちゃん、あそぼう。Ojīchan, asobō.Grandpa, let's play.
- そふは せんせいでした。Sofu wa sensei deshita.My grandfather was a teacher.
Example conversation
Emi talks on the phone with her grandfather Mr. Kuroda.
- Emiおじいちゃん、げんき？Ojīchan, genki?Grandpa, how are you?
- Mr. Kurodaああ、げんきだよ。エミは？Ā, genki da yo. Emi wa?Yes, I am well. And you, Emi?
- Emiわたしも げんき。またね。Watashi mo genki. Mata ne.I am fine too. See you.
