How to Say “Great Grandmother” in German

Urgroßmutter
The German phrase for great grandmother is Urgroßmutter.
The term is used to refer to the mother of one's grandmother or grandfather.

Which one should you use?

Urgroßmutter is a formal way to refer to your great grandmother in general, while Uroma is a shortened version. Ur-Omi is a playful and endearing way to address your great grandmother.

Did you know?

  • The adjective urgemütlich uses the same prefix to describe something that is 'extremely' cozy, moving the meaning from 'original' to an intensifier.
  • The term Urgroßmutter shares a root with the word Ursprung, which means 'origin' or 'source'.
  • The prefix Ur- is so versatile that Germans use it to describe 'original' versions of things, such as Urtyp for a 'prototype' or 'original type'.

Examples in context

  • Iss nichts, was deiner Urgroßmutter nicht als essbar gälte!
    Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognise as food.
    This sentence shows how to use Urgroßmutter when discussing what is considered edible.
    Tatoeba #9067135 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8252282 by Hybrid
  • Die Trainerin von Wayde van Niekerk ist eine 74 Jahre alte Urgroßmutter.
    Wayde van Niekerk's coach is a 74 years old great-grandmother.
    This sentence uses Urgroßmutter to describe a person's relation and age.
    Tatoeba #7805268 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5345498 by Hybrid
  • Meine Urgroßmutter sagt immer: „Es ist besser, sich um die eigenen Kinder zu kümmern, als in der Kita auf anderer Leute Kinder aufzupassen.“
    My great-grandmother always says: "It's better to look after your own children than to watch other people's at the daycare."
    This sentence features a quote from a Urgroßmutter regarding childcare.
    Tatoeba #2584638 by al_ex_an_der, translation #2584726 by Dejo
  • 5 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Hannah and Felix are looking at old family photos.

  1. Hannah

    Ist das deine Urgroßmutter?
    Is that your great grandmother?
  2. Felix

    Ja, das ist meine Urgroßmutter.
    Yes, that is my great grandmother.
  3. Hannah

    Sie sieht sehr freundlich aus.
    She looks very friendly.
  4. Felix

    Danke, sie war es auch.
    Thanks, she was too.

Sources

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Sharon Natasha
Sharon NatashaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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Jon Bebb
Jon Bebb
July 15, 2025 14:59

Thank you!

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