djed
/djêd/Croatia, Latin, masculine
The English word "grandpa" is translated into Bosnian as djed or deda.
Meaning: grandfather (informal) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Bosnian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| djed | /djêd/ | Croatia, Latin, masculine |
| deda | /dêda/ | Latin, masculine |
Both terms refer to a grandfather.
Which one should you use?
The term deda is the informal, affectionate term used by children or family members, equivalent to the English "grandpa". In contrast, djed is the standard form used in Croatia.
Is it said differently in some regions?
djed is the form specifically noted as being common in Croatia.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express even more affection, one can use the diminutive form dedica.
How do you pronounce it?
/djêd/
Did you know?
- When addressing a deda directly, it is common to pair the word with a kiss on the hand or a hug as a sign of deep respect.
- The word deda descends from the Proto-Slavic word *dědъ, which was used across early Slavic tribes to denote an ancestor or elder.
- The diminutive dedica is not only used for children's grandfathers but can also be used to describe a very old, frail man in a sympathetic way.
Examples in context
- Dedo, kako ste danas?Grandpa, how are you today?
- Hej deda, hoćete li se igrati sa mnom?Hey grandpa, do you want to play with me?
- Gdje je tvoj djed?Where is your grandfather?
Example conversation
Selma and Tarik are looking at an old family photograph.
- SelmaPogledaj, ovo je moj djed.Look, this is my grandpa.
- TarikIzgleda veoma ljubazno.He looks very kind.
- SelmaJeste, on je uvijek bio dobar.He is, he was always good.
- TarikTvoj djed ima lijep osmijeh.Your grandpa has a nice smile.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandpa” translations and entries djed, deda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
