באָבע
bobe/ˈbɔbə/
The Yiddish word for grandma is באָבע (bobe).
באָבע is the informal term for grandmother.
Meaning: grandmother (informal) (noun)
Which one should you use?
While באָבע is the traditional Yiddish word, some Yiddish speakers, particularly those in English-speaking environments, may use the loanword גראַנדמאָ.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Galitzianer Yiddish, the term for grandma is Oma.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express possession, use the genitive form באָבעס (grandma's).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɔbə/
Did you know?
- In some Yiddish contexts, באָבע can refer to a folk healer or a woman with mystical powers, similar to a 'wise woman'.
- The term באָבע shares a root with the English word 'babushka' via the Slavic word for 'old woman'.
- In Yiddish culture, the באָבע is often depicted as the primary transmitter of oral history and tradition to the grandchildren.
Examples in context
- זי איז מײַן באָבע.She's my grandma.This sentence is useful for identifying a person as one's באָבע.Tatoeba #11484863 by shekitten, translation #6008218 by CannedBread
- באָבע האָט מיך צעבאַלעוועט.Grandma spoiled me.This sentence shows how to use באָבע as a subject to describe an action.Tatoeba #11784599 by shekitten, translation #10181874 by ddnktr
- מיט מזל געיערט זיך, באָבעשי!Happy birthday, Grandma.This sentence demonstrates the use of the diminutive form באָבע in a birthday greeting.Tatoeba #11484859 by shekitten, translation #2650906 by meerkat
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young boy talks to his mother about his grandmother.
- חנה Chanaוואו איז באָבע?Vu iz bobe?Where is grandma?
- בערל Berelזי איז אין קיך.Zi iz in kikh.She is in the kitchen.
- חנה Chanaאיך וויל גיין צו באָבע.Ikh vil geyn tsu bobe.I want to go to grandma.
- בערל Berelגיי שוין, בערל.Gey shoyn, Berl.Go on, Berl.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry באָבע, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
