ба́бушка
bábuškafeminine
The English word grandmother is translated into Russian as ба́бушка (bábuška). Wiktionary also lists бабу́ля (babúlja) and бабу́ся (babúsja).
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ба́бушка | bábuška | feminine |
| бабу́ля | babúlja | endearing, feminine |
| бабу́ся | babúsja | endearing, feminine |
| ба́бка | bábka | feminine |
| ба́ба | bába | feminine |
The term ба́бушка means the mother of someone's parent. Beyond its familial meaning, it can also be used as a respectful way to address an elderly woman in general, not just one's own relative.
Which one should you use?
The standard, neutral term is ба́бушка. For a more affectionate and diminutive way to say 'granny' or 'grandma', grandchildren often use бабу́ля. In contrast, ба́бка is a colloquial and often disrespectful or blunt way to refer to an elderly woman or a grandmother. Finally, ба́ба is a very informal, often coarse or rural term for a woman and is not a polite way to say grandmother.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
bábuška
Did you know?
- In Russian folklore and fairy tales, the character Баба-яга is a famous witch who lives in a house that stands on giant chicken legs.
- In Russian culture, the grandmother is often the primary caregiver and disciplinarian while parents work, leading to a unique social dynamic where the ба́бушка holds significant authority over the household.
- The word ба́ба is not only a coarse term for a woman but is also the root for the word ба́бушка, showing how a word can evolve from a generic term for a woman into a specific familial title.
Examples in context
- Здравствуйте, бабушка!Hello, grandmother!
- Привет, бабуля! Как дела?Hi, babulya! How are you?
- Моя ба́бушка очень добрая.Moya babushka ochen' dobraya.My grandmother is very kind.
- Ба́бушка печёт вкусный пирог.Babushka pechyot vkusnyy pirog.Grandmother is baking a delicious pie.
- Где живёт твоя ба́бушка?Gde zhivyot tvoya babushka?Where does your grandmother live?
Example conversation
Alexander and Olga are discussing their families.
- Александр AleksandrКак поживает твоя ба́бушка?Kak pozhivaet tvoya babushka?How is your grandmother doing?
- Ольга OlgaУ неё всё хорошо, спасибо.U neyo vsyo khorosho, spasibo.She is doing well, thank you.
- Александр AleksandrПередавай ей мой привет.Peredavay yey moy privet.Give her my regards.
- Ольга OlgaОбязательно передам.Obyazatel'no peredam.I will definitely do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandmother” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
