סָבָה
saváfeminine
The Hebrew word for grandmother is סָבָה (savá). Wiktionary also lists סָבְתָא (sávta).
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| סָבָה | savá | feminine |
| סָבְתָא | sávta | feminine |
The term refers to the mother of one's parent.
Which one should you use?
The form סָבְתָא (sávta) is a common, more affectionate or colloquial way to say grandmother.
How do you pronounce it?
savá
Did you know?
- The word סָבְתָא (sávta) is actually an Aramaic loanword that has become a permanent part of modern Hebrew.
- In certain nostalgic or traditional contexts, סָבְתָא can be used as a respectful or affectionate term for any elderly woman, even if there is no biological relationship.
- In Hebrew, the word for 'grandmother' סָבָה and the word for 'grandfather' סָבָא sound almost identical. Listeners must rely on the subtle difference between the 'a' and 'ah' sounds or the overall context to tell them apart.
Examples in context
- איפה סַבְתָּא שלך?Where is your grandmother?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandmother” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
