abuela materna
/aˌbwela maˈteɾna/
The phrase for "grandma on mom's side" in Spanish is abuela materna.
This phrase is used to specify that the grandmother being discussed is the mother of one's mother.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of abuela (grandmother) and materna (maternal).
How do you pronounce it?
/aˌbwela maˈteɾna/
Did you know?
- Depending on the country, a person might use yaya as a colloquial alternative to abuela materna to express a closer or more affectionate bond.
- In some Latin American countries, the term abuela can be used colloquially to refer to an older woman who is not actually a relative, similar to how 'elder' is used in English.
- The word abuela comes from the Late Latin aviola, which was a diminutive form of the Latin word avia meaning 'grandmother'.
Examples in context
- Mi abuela materna es una persona muy especial en mi vida.My maternal grandmother is a very special person in my life.
- Mi abuela materna vive en Madrid.My grandma on mom's side lives in Madrid.
- ¿Cómo era tu abuela materna?What was your grandma on mom's side like?
- Visitaremos a mi abuela materna este verano.We will visit my grandma on mom's side this summer.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are looking at old family photographs.
- Sofía¿Quién es esta mujer en la foto?Who is this woman in the photo?
- JavierEs mi abuela materna.It is my grandma on mom's side.
- SofíaSe ve muy elegante.She looks very elegant.
- JavierSí, era una mujer muy distinguida.Yes, she was a very distinguished woman.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry abuela materna, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries abuela, CC BY-SA 4.0.
