סבא וסבתא
saba ve-savta
The Hebrew phrase for 'grandparents' is סבא וסבתא (saba ve-savta).
סבא וסבתא is used to refer to the parents of a person's father or mother.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the words for grandfather and grandmother joined by the conjunction 'and'.
How do you pronounce it?
saba ve-savta
Did you know?
- When discussing ancestry, the term סבא is often used in the phrase סבא רבא (saba raba) to specifically mean 'great-grandfather', effectively doubling the 'grand' status.
- In some religious or very traditional Hebrew-speaking circles, the term סבא might be used colloquially to refer to a respected elder, even if they are not biologically a grandfather.
- While סבא is the standard word for grandfather, some families use the more formal סב in written legal documents or genealogical records.
Examples in context
- סבא וסבתא שלו גידלו אותו.He was raised by his grandparents.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe being raised by סבא וסבתא.Tatoeba #1796101 by MrShoval, translation #1795477 by Spamster
- אתה ואמא תהיו סבא וסבתא בקרוב.You and mom will be grandparents soon.This sentence is useful for telling someone they will become סבא וסבתא soon.Tatoeba #13069853 by fekundulo, translation #10924156 by CK
- אני לא יכול להאמין שתום ומרי סבא וסבתא.I can't believe that Tom and Mary are grandparents.This sentence is useful for expressing disbelief that someone has become סבא וסבתא.Tatoeba #12198284 by fekundulo, translation #6504433 by CT
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rotem and Ido are talking on the phone about family.
- רוטם Rotemעידו, מתי סבא וסבתא שלך מגיעים?Ido, matay saba v'savta shelkha magi'im?Ido, when are your grandparents arriving?
- עידו Idoהם מגיעים ביום חמישי.Hem magi'im beyom chamishi.They are arriving on Thursday.
- רוטם Rotemאיזה כיף, אני אשמח לפגוש אותם.Eize kef, ani esmach lifgosh otam.How fun, I would love to meet them.
- עידו Idoהם בטוח ישמחו לראות אותך, רוטם.Hem betoach yesamchu lir'ot otakh, Rotem.They will surely be happy to see you, Rotem.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
