How to Say "Grandma" in Hungarian

nagymama

[ˈnɒɟmɒmɒ]

The English word "grandma" is translated into Hungarian as nagymama.

nagymama is used to refer to a grandmother. While it is a standard term, it is often replaced by more affectionate terms in a family setting.

Meaning: grandmother (informal) (noun)

Which one should you use?

nagymama is a standard term for grandmother, whereas nagyi is an informal term for grandma.

When addressing a grandmother directly in Hungarian, you do not need to add a title like 'Mrs.'. You simply use the term itself.

Hungarian uses a system of 'possessive' suffixes, so to say 'my grandma', you do not use a separate word for 'my'. Instead, you add a suffix to nagymama to create nagymamám.
The term nagymama is often paired with the gesture of a kiss on both cheeks, a common sign of respect and affection when greeting an elder in Hungarian culture.
The word mama in nagymama is actually a relatively modern loanword influence, as many older Hungarian families historically used anya or other terms for mother.

Nagypapa és nagymama most a mennyországban vannak.
Grandpa and Grandma are now in heaven.
This sentence shows how to use nagymama when referring to deceased relatives.
Tatoeba #7073926 by H_Liliom, translation #6803465 by mervert1
Milyen nagyok a szemeid, nagymama! Mert egy animében vagyok.
"What big eyes you have, Grandma." "Because I'm in an anime."
This sentence demonstrates using nagymama when speaking directly to a grandmother.
Tatoeba #10682477 by maaster, translation #10682479 by maaster
Nagymama lisztet szórt a sodrófára, hogy a tészta ne ragadjon rá.
Grandma sprinkled flour on the rolling pin so the dough wouldn't stick to it.
This sentence illustrates the use of nagymama in a descriptive context.
Tatoeba #4485120 by pernilla8, translation #830745 by papabear
Szia nagymama!
Hello grandma!
Hogy vagy, nagyi?
How are you, grandma?
Szeretlek, mama!
I love you, grandma!
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Zoltán is telling his grandmother that he loves her cake.

Zoltán

Nagymama, ez a sütemény nagyon finom!
Grandma, this cake is very delicious!
Katalin

Örökszem, hogy tetszik, Zoltán!
I am glad that you like it, Zoltán!
Zoltán

Tudná megmondani a receptjét, nagymama?
Could you tell me the recipe, grandma?
Katalin

Természetesen, majdi megírjuk együtt.
Of course, we will write it down together later.

Sources

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