abuela
standard
The word for grandmother in Venezuela is abuela. In family talk many people say abuelita, a more tender form.
Meaning: mother of a parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| abuela | standard |
| Abuelita | affectionate |
Abuela is correct in every setting, including forms and conversations about family. Abuelita is closer and warmer.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In writing you may find mi abuela materna for the mother's mother and mi abuela paterna for the father's mother.
How does it change in a sentence?
A great-grandmother is a bisabuela. Grandchildren are nietos.
Did you know?
- The words materna and paterna are useful in Spanish because the language has just one word for each grandmother, abuela.
Examples in context
- Mi abuela materna vive en Mérida.My maternal grandmother lives in Mérida.
- La abuela cumple ochenta años.Grandmother turns eighty.
- Mi bisabuela era maestra.My great-grandmother was a teacher.
Example conversation
Lucía tells her teacher about her family at school.
- Maestra¿Con quién vives, Lucía?Who do you live with, Lucía?
- LucíaCon mis padres y mi abuela.With my parents and my grandmother.
- MaestraQué bien.How nice.
