nannu
/ˈnan.nu/masculine
The English word 'grandfather' can be translated into Maltese as nannu or ġidd.
Meaning: grandfather (from either side) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Maltese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nannu | /ˈnan.nu/ | masculine |
| ġidd | /d͡ʒɪt/ | masculine |
Both terms are used to refer to a grandfather from either the maternal or paternal side.
Which one should you use?
While ġidd is the formal term for grandfather, nannu is the much more common, colloquial way to refer to a grandfather.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both ġidd and nannu are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of nannu is /ˈnan.nu/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word ġidd shares a common ancestor with the Arabic word for 'seriousness' or 'solemnity', which is 'jadd'.
- The term nannu is a linguistic fingerprint of Sicily's historical influence on Malta, as it was borrowed directly from the Sicilian dialect.
- While nannu is used for a grandfather, the word nanna is the common colloquial term for a grandmother.
Examples in context
- Il-nannu tiegħi huwa tajb ħafna.My grandfather is very kind.
Example conversation
Justin is showing Myriam an old photograph.
- JustinHawn hu nannu tiegħiHere is my grandfather.
- MyriamHuwa kien professur?Was he a professor?
- JustinIva, nannu kien jgħallem il-lingwaYes, grandfather used to teach language.
- MyriamHu jidher ħlu ħafnaHe looks very sweet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandfather” translations and entries nannu, ġidd, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nannu, ġidd, CC BY-SA 4.0.
