gammelmormor
In Swedish, the English phrase 'great grandma' is translated as gammelmormor.
The term gammelmormor is used specifically to refer to the mother of one's grandmother.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is built upon the base word mormor, which means maternal grandmother (mother's mother).
Which one should you use?
Swedish distinguishes between maternal and paternal sides. gammelfarmor is the mother of one's paternal grandfather.
Did you know?
- The root word mormor is a compound of mor meaning 'mother' and mor again. This makes the Swedish word for grandmother a literal repetition of the word for mother.
- While gammel means 'old', in the word gammelmormor it functions as a generational marker. This allows Swedish to create an infinite chain of ancestors by simply adding gammel again, such as gammelgammelmormor for a great-great-grandmother.
- While English uses 'great' to show seniority, the Swedish prefix gammel- literally means 'old'. This can create a humorous or slightly blunt mental image of an 'old grandmother' if one is not used to the generational meaning.
Examples in context
- Min gammelmormor var väldigt snäll.My great grandma was very kind.
- Hon var min gammelmormor.She was my great grandma.
- Min gammelmormor bodde i Stockholm.My great grandma lived in Stockholm.
Example conversation
Alice and Erik are looking at an old family photo album.
- AliceVem är kvinnan på bilden?Who is the woman in the picture?
- ErikDet är min gammelmormor.It is my great grandma.
- AliceHon ser mycket stilig ut.She looks very elegant.
- ErikJa, hon var en mycket stark kvinna.Yes, she was a very strong woman.
