ひいおばあさん
hiiobaasan
The English phrase "great grandma" is translated into Japanese as ひいおばあさん (hiiobaasan).
This phrase is used to refer to the mother of one's grandmother or grandfather.
What does it mean word for word?
The term consists of the prefix ひい (hii), which is used to denote the generation above one's grandparents (equivalent to the English prefix "great-") and おばあさん (obaasan), meaning "grandmother".
Which one should you use?
While ひいおばあさん is the standard term, ひいおばあちゃん is a more affectionate version used primarily by children or within close families. In official documents or formal speech, the technical term 曾祖母 (sōsobo) is used instead.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more informal and affectionate tone, such as when spoken by a child, you can use ひいおばあちゃん. For formal, technical or official contexts, use 曾祖母.
How do you pronounce it?
hiiobaasan
Did you know?
- The prefix ひい can be repeated to describe even more distant ancestors, such as ひいひいおばあさん for a great-great-grandmother.
- While おばあさん (obaasan) is used for 'grandmother', a common mistake for learners is confusing it with おばさん (obasan), which means 'aunt'.
- In some regions of Japan, a child might call their great-grandmother ひいばあ (hiibaa) as a cute, shortened slang version.
Examples in context
- ひいおばあさんは元気です。hii obaasann wa genki desu.My great grandma is doing well.
- ひいおばあさんの写真があります。hii obaasann no shashin ga arimasu.I have a photo of my great grandma.
- ひいおばあさんはとても優しいです。hii obaasann wa totemo yasashii desu.My great grandma is very kind.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are looking at an old family photo album.
- 健太 Kentaこの人は誰ですか。Kono hito wa dare desu ka.Who is this person?
- 美咲 Misaki私のひいおばあさんです。Watashi no hii-obāsan desu.This is my great grandma.
- 健太 Kentaとても若く見えますね。Totemo wakaku miemasu ne.She looks very young.
- 美咲 Misakiそうですね。美人ですよね。Sō desu ne. Bijin desu yo ne.She is. She's beautiful, isn't she?
