تيتا وجدو
teta w jiddo
The phrase for "grandma and grandpa" in Arabic is تيتا وجدو (teta w jiddo).
The phrase is used to affectionately refer to one's grandmother and grandfather.
Which one should you use?
While تيتا وجدو is used affectionately in speech, the formal Modern Standard Arabic way to say "the grandfather and the grandmother" is الجد والجدة. Additionally, Jadd (جَدّ) is a formal way to refer to your grandpa.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
تيتا وجدو is an informal, affectionate way to refer to grandparents, commonly used by children.
Is it said differently in some regions?
This specific phrasing is characteristic of Levantine Arabic dialects, such as Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian and Palestinian.
How do you pronounce it?
teta w jiddo
Did you know?
- The word تيتا is believed by many linguists to have roots in European languages like Italian or Spanish, rather than being an indigenous Semitic word.
- Arabic has distinct words for 'paternal grandfather' and 'maternal grandfather' in formal contexts, though جدو is used for both in informal speech.
- In many Arabic cultures, the term for 'grandpa' is not just a title but is often used as a respectful way to address any elderly man, even a stranger.
Examples in context
- أنا بحب تيتا وجدو كتير.Ana bahib tita wa jiddo kteer.I love grandma and grandpa very much.
- تيتا وجدو جايين لعندنا اليوم.Tita wa jiddo jayeen la 'andna el yawm.Grandma and grandpa are coming to our place today.
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking about their family visit in the living room.
- سارة Saraيا يوسف، هل كلمت تيتا وجدو؟Ya Youssef, hal kallamt tita wa jiddo?Youssef, did you call grandma and grandpa?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، تيتا وجدو رح يزورونا بكره.Na'am, tita wa jiddo rah yizoorona bokra.Yes, grandma and grandpa will visit us tomorrow.
- سارة Saraهذا خبر رائع!Hada khabar ra'i!That is great news!
- يوسف Youssefأنا متحمس جداً.Ana mutahammis jiddan.I am very excited.
