nietos
/njetos/from spelling rules
The English phrase grandkids is translated into Spanish as nietos.
The term nietos is the standard way to say both 'grandchildren' and 'grandkids' in Spanish, working well in both formal and informal contexts.
Which one should you use?
While 'grandkids' is a colloquialism in English, nietos is the standard term in Spanish. In Spanish, the gender of the word changes based on who you are talking about: nietos is used for a mixed-gender group that includes at least one boy, while nietas is used for a group consisting only of granddaughters.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The forms Nietecitos and Nietecitas are commonly used in Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine singular form nieta refers to a single granddaughter. The feminine plural form nietas refers to a group consisting only of granddaughters. The masculine plural form nietos is used to refer to a group of grandkids that includes at least one boy.
How do you pronounce it?
/njetos/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish speaking cultures, the role of nietos is central to the 'familia extensa', where grandparents often take a primary role in daily childcare rather than just occasional visits.
- Spanish has the word bisnietos for great-grandchildren, but it also extends further with tataranietos for great-great-grandchildren.
- In some Latin American regions, the affectionate diminutive nietitos is used not just for small children, but as a term of endearment for grandchildren of any age.
Examples in context
- Tus nietos son una ricura.Your grandkids are so gorgeous.This sentence is useful for describing how gorgeous your nietos are.Tatoeba #10016235 by Shishir, translation #10097990 by DJ_Saidez
- La abuelita viajaba con sus dos nietos.The granny traveled with her two grandkids.This sentence is useful for describing a grandmother traveling with her two nietos.Tatoeba #7038140 by arh, translation #7039845 by Goatstein
- Mis nietos son mi mayor alegría.My grandkids are my greatest joy.
- ¿Cómo están mis queridos nietos?How are my beloved grandkids?
- Mis nietos juegan en el jardín.My grandkids are playing in the garden.
Example conversation
Two elderly friends are chatting at a park.
- MateoSofía, ¿viste a tus nietos hoy?Sofía, did you see your grandkids today?
- SofíaNo, Mateo, pero los veré mañana.No, Mateo, but I will see them tomorrow.
- MateoQué bueno, los nietos traen mucha alegría.That's good, grandkids bring a lot of joy.
- SofíaEs verdad, son lo mejor de mi vida.It's true, they are the best part of my life.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
