abuelita
affectionate, Chile
In Chile "grandma" is abuela in standard speech and abuelita when speaking with affection. Younger people also shorten it to abue.
Meaning: grandmother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| abuelita | affectionate, Chile |
| abuela | standard |
| abue | short and casual |
Children say abuelita when talking to their grandmother or about her. You can use abuela in a neutral way, for example when presenting your family.
Which one should you use?
Abuelita is warm and common in everyday family talk. Abue is a quick nickname used mostly by teenagers and young adults.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is feminine. The plural is abuelas, while abuelos means grandparents.
Did you know?
- Chilean grandchildren often call their grandmother abuelita well into adulthood.
Examples in context
- Mi abuelita hace las mejores empanadas.My grandma makes the best empanadas.
- Voy a la casa de mi abuela.I am going to my grandmother's house.
- Abue, ¿me cuentas un cuento?Grandma, will you tell me a story?
Example conversation
Nicolás visits his grandmother Rosa in Rancagua on a Sunday.
- NicolásHola, abuelita.Hello, grandma.
- RosaHola, mi niño. ¿Cómo estás?Hello, my boy. How are you?
- NicolásBien, abue. Te traje pan.Good, grandma. I brought you bread.
- RosaGracias, vamos a tomar once.Thanks, let us have once.
