avós
/aˈvɔ(j)s/
The English phrase 'grandparents' is translated into Portuguese as avós.
The term avós is used to refer to the parents of a person's father or mother.
Which one should you use?
While avós is the plural form used for the pair of grandparents, avô refers to a single grandfather and avó refers to a single grandmother.
How does it change in a sentence?
avós is a masculine plural noun. It can be used to refer to a mixed-gender group of grandparents or a group consisting only of grandfathers.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈvɔ(j)s/
Did you know?
- The accent mark on avô and avó is critical because it changes the vowel sound and the gender of the person being referred to.
- The word avô is a cognate of the French word 'aïeul', both of which derive from the Latin 'avus'.
- While avós is the standard term, some Brazilian families use vô and vó as shortened versions in daily speech, dropping the initial syllable.
Examples in context
- Que fazem meus avós?What are my grandparents doing?This sentence shows how to ask what one's avós are doing.Tatoeba #1134535 by alexmarcelo, translation #1134531 by Eldad
- Como estão seus avós?How are your grandparents?This sentence is a way to ask how someone's avós are.Tatoeba #3030810 by alexmarcelo, translation #2644566 by CK
- Sou amado de meus avós.I'm loved by my grandparents.This sentence expresses being loved by one's avós.Tatoeba #1105217 by alexmarcelo, translation #8350154 by lucasmg123
- Conheci os meus avós quando era criança.I met my grandparents when I was a child.
- Preciso ligar para os meus vovôs e vovós hoje.I need to call my grandparents today.
- Diz oi para a vovó e o vovô.Say hi to grandma and grandpa.
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rodrigo and Juliana are talking about their family during a coffee break.
- RodrigoVocê visita seus avós com frequência?Do you visit your grandparents frequently?
- JulianaSim, eu vejo meus avós todo domingo.Yes, I see my grandparents every Sunday.
- RodrigoMeus avós moram em outra cidade.My grandparents live in another city.
- JulianaÉ uma pena, mas é comum.That is a shame, but it is common.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry avós, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
