vovô
/voˈvo/masculine
vovô is the Portuguese word for grandpa.
vovô is a noun used to refer to a grandfather in an informal way.
Meaning: grandfather (informal) (noun)
Which one should you use?
vovô is an affectionate, informal term, whereas avô is the standard, more formal term for grandfather. The feminine counterpart to vovô is vovó, which means grandma.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term vovô follows the masculine pattern, while the feminine version vovó uses the acute accent to change the final vowel sound.
How do you pronounce it?
/voˈvo/
Did you know?
- In Brazil, some people use the term vovô not just for a biological grandfather, but as a respectful and affectionate way to address any elderly man they meet.
- While vovô is common in Brazil, many Portuguese speakers in Portugal prefer to use the more formal avô even in affectionate settings, making the reduplicated version sound distinctly Brazilian to their ears.
- The word vovô is formed by reduplication of vô, a linguistic process often used in Portuguese to create 'baby talk' or diminutive forms of affection.
Examples in context
- O vovô me comprou isto.Grandpa bought this for me.This sentence shows how to use vovô as a subject.Tatoeba #1632169 by alexmarcelo, translation #1079077 by keira_n
- O vovô gosta de exagerar.Grandpa likes to go overboard.Tatoeba #6216441 by bill, translation #5854982 by AlanF_US
- Vovô, o que está fazendo?Grandpa, what are you doing?This sentence shows how to address vovô directly.Tatoeba #9038736 by carlosalberto, translation #9038734 by carlosalberto
- Vovô, como foi seu dia?Grandpa, how was your day?
- Eu amo meu vovô.I love my grandpa.
- Vovô, posso sentar ao seu lado?Grandpa, may I sit next to you?
- Vô, eu trouxe seu café.Grandpa, I brought your coffee.
- Vôvô, vamos brincar de bola.Grandpa, let's play ball.
- Meu vô é o melhor do mundo.My grandpa is the best in the world.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Beatriz are talking about their family at home.
- RodrigoO vovô já chegou?Has grandpa arrived yet?
- BeatrizSim, o vovô está na cozinha.Yes, grandpa is in the kitchen.
- RodrigoVou dar um abraço no vovô.I am going to give grandpa a hug.
- BeatrizEle vai ficar muito feliz.He will be very happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandpa” translations and entries vovô, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vovô, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
