lola sa tuhod
/ˈlola sa ˈtuhod/word by word
The English phrase "great grandma" is translated into Tagalog as lola sa tuhod.
lola sa tuhod is used to refer to the mother of one's grandmother or grandfather.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "grandmother in the knee".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈlola sa ˈtuhod/
When do people say it?
The use of tuhod (knee) refers to the generational distance, implying that the grandmother is one step further away, metaphorically linked to the knee.
Did you know?
- In Filipino culture, the term lola is often used as a respectful title for any elderly woman, even if she is not a biological relative.
- The word tuhod (knee) used in the phrase is an ancient term inherited from Proto-Austronesian, sharing a common root with words for 'knee' in Hawaiian and Māori.
- To refer to a great-grandfather, the phrase lolo sa tuhod is used, simply by swapping the feminine lola for the masculine lolo.
Examples in context
- Mabait ang lola sa tuhod ko.My great grandma is kind.
- Nasaan ang lola sa tuhod ninyo?Where is your great grandma?
- Mahal na mahal ko ang lola sa tuhod ko.I love my great grandma very much.
Example conversation
Christina and Ricardo are looking at an old family photograph.
- ChristinaSino ang babaeng ito sa larawan?Who is this woman in the photo?
- RicardoSiya ang lola sa tuhod ko, Christina.She is my great grandma, Christina.
- ChristinaMukhang mabait siya.She looks kind.
- RicardoOo, napakabait niya talaga.Yes, she is really very kind.
