mormor och morfar
The Swedish phrase for grandma and grandpa is mormor och morfar.
This phrase is used specifically to refer to the grandmother and grandfather on the mother's side of the family.
Which one should you use?
Swedish distinguishes between maternal and paternal grandparents. While mormor och morfar refers to the mother's parents, you must use farmor och farfar to refer to the grandparents on the father's side.
Did you know?
- The word och used to be spelled 'ock' in Old Swedish. It is a cognate of the English word 'eke', as in 'to eke out a living'.
- Swedish does not have a single word for 'grandparents' that covers both maternal and paternal sides without specifying which is which.
Examples in context
- Vi är oroliga för mormor och morfar.We're worried about Grandma and Grandpa.This sentence is useful for expressing concern regarding mormor och morfar.Tatoeba #3008994 by ajje, translation #247158 by CK
- Farfar, kan du berätta historien om när du var ung?Grandpa, can you tell the story of when you were young?
- Mormor och morfar bor i Stockholm.Grandma and grandpa live in Stockholm.
Example conversation
Alice and Erik are talking about their weekend plans.
- AliceSka vi besöka mormor och morfar?Shall we visit grandma and grandpa?
- ErikJa, det låter som en bra idé.Yes, that sounds like a good idea.
- AliceDe vill gärna träffa oss.They really want to see us.
- ErikDå kör vi dit nu.Then let's drive there now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries morfar, mormor, och, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
