bedstefar
/ˈbɛsdəˌfɑː/common gender
The English phrase "grandpa" is translated into Danish as bedstefar. Wiktionary also lists bessefar.
Meaning: grandfather (informal) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Danish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bedstefar | /ˈbɛsdəˌfɑː/ | common gender |
| bessefar | common gender |
The term is used to refer to a grandfather. While bedstefar is a general term, Danish speakers frequently use more specific terms to distinguish which side of the family the grandfather belongs to, such as morfar for a maternal grandfather or farfar for a paternal grandfather.
What does it mean word for word?
The word bedstefar is composed of bedste, meaning "best" or "oldest" and far, meaning "father".
Which one should you use?
The pack provides two forms: bedstefar and bessefar. Both are used to mean grandpa.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "the grandpa" in Danish, you add the suffix -en to the end of the word to form bedstefaren.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɛsdəˌfɑː/
Did you know?
- In Danish culture, the distinction between morfar and farfar extends to grandmothers with mormor and farmor. This creates a symmetrical system of kinship terms based on the parent's role.
- The affectionate term bessefar is a playful alteration of the word bedstefar. It is often used by young children who find the original word harder to pronounce.
- The word bedste in bedstefar comes from the same root as the English word 'best'. However, in old Nordic contexts, it referred to the 'foremost' or 'oldest' person in a lineage.
Examples in context
- Bedstefaren er gammel og er ligeglad.The grandpa is old and doesn't care.This sentence is useful for seeing the definite form bedstefaren used with bedstefar.Tatoeba #10701836 by danepo, translation #10701834 by Ooneykcall
- Min bedstefar blev født første juledag.My grandpa was born on Christmas Day.This sentence shows the use of bedstefar in a personal context.Tatoeba #12934080 by danepo, translation #11371551 by ddnktr
- Lad os besøge min bedstefar i weekenden.Let's visit my grandpa this weekend.This sentence demonstrates how to use bedstefar when discussing visiting a relative.Tatoeba #1796954 by danepo, translation #266422 by CN
- Jeg elsker min bedstefar utrolig højt.I love my grandpa very much.
- Min farfar er en fantastisk mand.My grandpa is an amazing man.
- Jeg skal besøge min morfar i weekenden.I'm going to visit my grandpa this weekend.
- Min bedstefader laver de bedste pandekager.My grandpa makes the best pancakes.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mikkel and Sofie are looking at an old family photograph.
- MikkelHvem er manden på billedet?Who is the man in the picture?
- SofieDet er min bedstefar fra dengang.That is my grandpa from back then.
- MikkelHan ligner dig meget, Sofie.He looks a lot like you, Sofie.
- SofieJa, vi har samme næse.Yes, we have the same nose.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grandpa” translations and entries bedstefar, bessefar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bessefar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
