vovó e vovô
/vɔˈvɔ ˈɛ voˈvo/word by word
The English phrase "grandma and grandpa" is translated into Portuguese as vovó e vovô.
vovó e vovô is used as an informal way to refer to one's grandmother and grandfather.
Which one should you use?
While vovó e vovô is the common affectionate way to say grandma and grandpa, avó e avô is the standard, more formal term used in adult conversation or official contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Portuguese, the feminine form vovó uses an acute accent (´), whereas the masculine form vovô uses a circumflex accent (^).
How do you pronounce it?
/vɔˈvɔ ˈɛ voˈvo/
Did you know?
- While vovó and vovô are the standard affectionate terms, some Brazilian families use the Italian-influenced nonna and nonno due to the large number of Italian immigrants in the south.
- In some Portuguese-speaking cultures, referring to someone as vovó is not limited to biological grandmothers but can be a term of endearment for any elderly woman.
- The affectionate terms vovó and vovô are created through a linguistic process called reduplication, where a syllable is repeated to create a diminutive or more rhythmic sound.
Examples in context
- Vovó e vovô estão no jardim.Grandma and grandpa are in the garden.
- Eu comprei um presente para vovó e vovô.I bought a gift for grandma and grandpa.
- Vovó e vovô moram no interior.Grandma and grandpa live in the countryside.
Example conversation
Two people are talking about their weekend plans.
- RodrigoVocê vai viajar neste fim de semana?Are you traveling this weekend?
- MarianaSim, vou ver a vovó e vovô.Yes, I am going to see grandma and grandpa.
- RodrigoQue legal, Mariana! Eles moram longe?That's cool, Mariana! Do they live far away?
- MarianaNão, eles moram bem perto daqui.No, they live very close to here.
