overgrootmoeder
The Dutch phrase for great grandmother is overgrootmoeder.
This phrase refers to the mother of one's grandmother or grandfather.
What does it mean word for word?
The word overgrootmoeder is a compound made of over (over/above/beyond), groot (grand) and moeder (mother).
Which one should you use?
You can also use overgrootoma to specifically address a great grandmother.
Did you know?
- If you want to refer to a great-grandmother's mother, you would add another 'over', creating the even longer overovergrootmoeder.
- In many Dutch dialects, people skip the formal overgrootmoeder entirely and use oma or even omaatje for every generation of elder women.
- While overgrootmoeder is the formal term, many Dutch families use the much softer diminutive overgrootmoedertje to express affection.
Examples in context
- Ik heb het geluk gehad mijn overgrootmoeder te ontmoeten.I was fortunate enough to meet my great grandmother.
- Mijn overgrootmoeder is 92 jaar oud.My great grandmother is 92 years old.
- Mijn overgrootmoeder was een zeer goede kok.My great grandmother was a very good cook.
- Ik heb een foto van mijn overgrootmoeder.I have a photo of my great grandmother.
- De overgrootmoeder van de jongen is erg oud.The boy's great grandmother is very old.
Example conversation
Sophie and Lucas are looking at an old photo album.
- SophieWie is de vrouw op deze foto?Who is the woman in this photo?
- LucasDat is mijn overgrootmoeder.That is my great grandmother.
- SophieZe ziet er heel vriendelijk uit.She looks very friendly.
- LucasJa, ze was een lieve vrouw.Yes, she was a kind woman.
