γιαγιά
giagiá/ʝaˈʝa/feminine
The Greek word for grandmother is γιαγιά (giagiá). Wiktionary also lists μάμμη (mámmi).
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| γιαγιά | giagiá | /ʝaˈʝa/ | feminine |
| μάμμη | mámmi | feminine |
The term is used to refer to the mother of a person's parent.
Which one should you use?
γιαγιά is the standard term for grandmother, while μάμμη is an alternative feminine form used to refer to a grandmother.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form γιαγιά remains the same in the accusative case when it is the direct object of a verb. To express possession or the phrase 'of the grandmother', use the genitive form γιαγιάς.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is giagiá.
Did you know?
- The term γιαγιά is often used as a respectful title for any elderly woman, regardless of whether she is actually the speaker's grandmother.
- The word γιαγιά is a 'nursery word', meaning it originated from the repetitive, simple sounds that infants use when first learning to babble.
- In Greece, the role of the γιαγιά often includes being the primary storyteller and keeper of family folklore for the grandchildren.
Examples in context
- Αυτή είναι η γιαγιά μου.This is my grandmother.This sentence is useful for introducing your grandmother using γιαγιά.Tatoeba #4404813 by Tensai, translation #1744424 by Djef_Messaoudi
- Η γιαγιά μου ζει στην ύπαιθρο.My grandmother lives in the countryside.This sentence is useful for stating where your grandmother lives using γιαγιά.Tatoeba #2389798 by mululatv, translation #9025347 by Nylez
- Η Μary επισκέφθηκε τη γιαγιά της.Mary visited her grandmother.This sentence is useful for describing a visit to a grandmother using γιαγιά.Tatoeba #4839107 by ciccione, translation #4025280 by eeyinn
- Χριστίνα: Γιαγιά, ήρθα να σε επισκεφτώ!Christina: Yia-yia, I came to visit you!
- Νίκος: Γιαγιά, σας φέραμε ένα δώρο!Nikos: Yia-yia, we brought you a gift!
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia is showing a photo to Nikos.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΚοίτα, αυτή είναι η γιαγιά μου.Koíta, aftí eínai i giagiá mou.Look, this is my grandmother.
- Νίκος NikosΕίναι πολύ όμορφη η γιαγιά σου.Eínai polý ómorphi i giagiá sou.Your grandmother is very beautiful.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕυχαριστώ! Μένει στην Αθήνα.Efcharistó! Ménei stin Athína.Thank you! She lives in Athens.
- Νίκος NikosΠότε θα την επισκεφθείς ξανά;Póte tha tin episkeftheís xaná?When will you visit her again?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandmother” translations and entries γιαγιά, μάμμη, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries γιαγιά, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
