ugogo
The Zulu word for grandmother is ugogo.
The term is used to refer to the mother of one's parent.
Meaning: mother of someone's parent (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term Makhulu is an informal term used to refer to one's grandmother in Zulu. The term gogo is a formal and widely recognized way to address one's grandmother in Zulu.
Did you know?
- While ugogo is the noun for grandmother, it can also be used as a title of respect for any elderly woman in the community, even those not related to you.
- The term Makhulu is derived from the word for 'big' or 'great', implying that a grandmother is a figure of great stature and importance in the family.
- In many Zulu-speaking households, calling a grandmother by her name is considered highly disrespectful and is avoided in favor of Gogo or Makhulu.
Examples in context
- Sawubona, gogo!Hello, grandmother!
- Ugogo wami uyakhuluma.My grandmother is speaking.
- Ngithanda ugogo wami kakhulu.I love my grandmother very much.
- Ngibona ugogo kaSipho.I see Sipho's grandmother.
Example conversation
Sipho and Nomalusa are talking about family members at home.
- SiphoNomalusa, ubona ugogo?Nomalusa, do you see grandmother?
- NomalusaCha, Sipho, angiboni ugogo.No, Sipho, I don't see grandmother.
- SiphoMhlawumbe ugogo usekhaya.Maybe grandmother is at home.
- NomalusaYebo, ukhona ekhaya.Yes, she is at home.
