бабу́ся
babúsjafeminine
The English word "grandmother" is translated into Ukrainian as бабу́ся (babúsja). Wiktionary also lists ба́ба (bába).
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| бабу́ся | babúsja | feminine |
| ба́ба | bába | feminine |
The term refers to the mother of one's parent.
Which one should you use?
бабу́ся is the standard, affectionate way to say grandmother, similar to "grandma" in English. In contrast, ба́ба is much more blunt and can range from a very informal way to say grandmother to a potentially disrespectful way to refer to an old woman.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use бабу́ся when speaking to or about a grandmother in a respectful or loving context. ба́ба is an informal and much more blunt version.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word бабу́ся changes its ending to бабу́сі in many grammatical cases, such as when saying "of the grandmother" or "to the grandmother".
How do you pronounce it?
babúsja
Did you know?
- While ба́ба can refer to a grandmother, it is also used as a slang term for a woman or girl regardless of age, often with a dismissive or overly familiar tone.
- In Ukrainian folklore, the word баба is often used to describe a legendary, supernatural old woman, such as the witch Баба Яга, rather than just a human relative.
- Addressing an unfamiliar woman in a village as ба́ба can be perceived as an insult, implying she is coarse or unpleasant.
Examples in context
- Дай мені цукерку, бабуся.Give me a candy, grandma.
- Моя бабуля готує найсмачніше печиво.My grandmother makes the most delicious cookies.
- Завтра піду відвідати свою бабусю.Tomorrow, I will visit my grandma.
- Моя бабу́ся дуже добра.Moya babusia duzhe dobra.My grandmother is very kind.
- Бабу́ся спекла смачний пиріг.Babusia spekla smachnyi pyrih.Grandmother baked a delicious pie.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans in a cafe.
- Олександр OleksandrТи підеш до бабу́сі сьогодні?Ty pidesh do babusi siohodni?Are you going to visit your grandmother today?
- Марія MariiaТак, я запросила її на обід.Tak, ya zaprosyla yiyi na obid.Yes, I invited her for lunch.
- Олександр OleksandrТвоя бабу́ся готує найкращу вечерю.Tvoya babusia hotuye naikrashchu vecheriu.Your grandmother cooks the best dinner.
- Марія MariiaЦе правда, вона дуже любить готувати.Tse pravda, vona duzhe lyubyt hotuvaty.That's true, she loves cooking very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandmother” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
