nanna
/ˈnan.na/feminine
The Maltese word for grandmother is nanna.
nanna is used to refer to the mother of one's parent.
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
nanna is an informal and affectionate term commonly used within a family setting.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable. The IPA is /ˈnan.na/.
Did you know?
- The word nanna was borrowed into Maltese from the Sicilian language.
- While nanna is the standard term for grandmother, it is also used as a sweet, pet name for a baby or a small child in Maltese households.
- The term nanna is so deeply ingrained in Maltese culture that it can be used as a term of endearment for any elderly woman in a community, even if there is no blood relation.
Examples in context
- Se nara lil Nanna wara l-iskola.I will see Nanna after school.
- Il-nanna tiegħi hija sabiħa.My grandmother is beautiful.
Example conversation
Jessica and Kurt are looking at an old family photo.
- JessicaMin hu din il-bniedem fil-ritratt?Who is this person in the portrait?
- KurtDin hija nanna tiegħi, Jessica.This is my grandmother, Jessica.
- JessicaHija sabiħa ħafna.She is very beautiful.
- KurtGrazzi, nimgħidilha ħaċċer.Thank you, I will tell her.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandmother” translations and entries nanna, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nanna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
