grands-parents
The French phrase for grandparents is grands-parents.
The term grands-parents is used to refer to the parents of a person's father or mother.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of grands (grand/great) and parents (parents).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While grands-parents is the standard term, you can use the informal or affectionate terms papy (grandpa) and mamie (grandma).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Normandy, the term papé is used to refer to a grandfather. In Belgium and parts of Switzerland, bonne-maman is used as an affectionate way to refer to a grandmother.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural grands-parents, both grand and parent must take an s. For individual grandparents, you use the masculine singular form grand-père for a grandfather and the feminine singular form grand-mère for a grandmother.
Did you know?
- French uses the term arrière-grands-parents for great-grandparents, where arrière literally means 'behind' or 'back'.
- The word 'parents' in French can mean 'parents', but it is also used more broadly to mean 'relatives' in many contexts.
- While mamie and papy are common, some French families use pépé and mémé, which are older, more traditional rural terms that can sometimes sound slightly comical or outdated today.
Examples in context
- Comment vont tes grands-parents ?How are your grandparents?This sentence is useful for asking how someone's grands-parents are doing.Tatoeba #8643680 by Julien_PDC, translation #2644566 by CK
- Tom s'occupa de ses grands-parents.Tom took care of his grandparents.This sentence is useful for describing someone taking care of their grands-parents.Tatoeba #13639642 by Rovo, translation #12090836 by CK
- Il fut élevé par ses grands-parents.He was raised by his grandparents.This sentence is useful for describing someone being raised by their grands-parents.Tatoeba #1800535 by sacredceltic, translation #1795477 by Spamster
- Mes grands-parents paternels sont adorables.My paternal grandparents are adorable.
- On va chez Mémé et Pépé pour fêter Noël cette année.We're going to Grandma and Grandpa's to celebrate Christmas this year.
- 50 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are talking about their holiday plans.
- EmmaTu vas voir tes grands-parents ce week-end ?Are you going to see your grandparents this weekend?
- GabrielOui, je rends visite à mes grands-parents.Yes, I am visiting my grandparents.
- EmmaC'est gentil de ta part, Gabriel.That is kind of you, Gabriel.
- GabrielIls habitent vraiment près de chez moi.They live very close to my place.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
