Ways to say it
| Swiss German | Note |
|---|---|
| Grosspapi | |
| Grossvatter | formal |
| Opa | also common |
Opa is also widely heard, shared with Standard German, and the formal word Grossvatter is used when speaking about a grandfather rather than to him directly.
What does it mean word for word?
Grosspapi joins gross, 'big' or 'grand', with Papi, a child's word for 'dad'. Grossvatter uses the more formal Vatter, 'father'.
Which one should you use?
Grosspapi is the warm, affectionate word children actually call their grandfather. Grossvatter is more distant and used in formal writing or introductions.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Grosspapi and Opa are everyday and warm. Grossvatter is formal and less personal.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Pronunciation and nicknames for a grandfather vary somewhat by region and even by family, though Grosspapi is widely understood everywhere.
How does it change in a sentence?
Grosspapi does not change form. The plural for grandparents in general is Grosseltern.
How do you pronounce it?
Grosspapi stresses the first syllable: 'GROSS-papi'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using Grossvatter when speaking directly to a grandfather can sound stiff. Children and grandchildren normally say Grosspapi or Opa instead.
When do people say it?
Grandparents often play a large role in Swiss childcare, regularly looking after grandchildren one or more days a week.
Did you know?
- Swiss grandparents often provide regular childcare, a role formally recognized in some cantons through small tax deductions.
- Grosspapi keeps the child's word Papi inside it, which is part of why it sounds warmer than the formal Grossvatter.
Examples in context
- Mis Grosspapi geht gern wandere.My grandpa likes to go hiking.
- Opa hat Guetsli gbacke.Grandpa baked cookies.
- Mir gö hüt zu de Grosseltern.We are going to the grandparents today.
Example conversation
Lara tells her friend Seraina about visiting her grandfather on the weekend.
- LaraMir sind am Wucheend bim Grosspapi gsi.We were at grandpa’s on the weekend.
- SerainaSchön, was hend ihr gmacht?Nice, what did you do?
- LaraMir sind mitem wandere gange.We went hiking together.
- SerainaDein Grosspapi isch fit.Your grandpa is fit.
