증조할머니
jeungjohalmeoni
The Korean phrase for "great grandmother" is 증조할머니 (jeungjohalmeoni).
증조할머니 is used to refer specifically to the mother of one's grandmother. While the term 할머니 is the most common way to say "grandmother," it is also frequently used more broadly to refer to great grandmothers as well.
Which one should you use?
While 할머니 refers to a grandmother, 증조할머니 is the specific term used for the grandmother's mother.
How does it change in a sentence?
For example, you would use 증조할머니께서.
How do you pronounce it?
jeungjohalmeoni
Did you know?
- In Korean, the term 할머니 is frequently used as a polite way to address any elderly woman in public, even if there is no biological relationship to her.
- While English simply adds more 'greats' to go further back in time, Korean switches to a completely different prefix, 고조, for a great-great-grandmother.
- Because of ancestral worship traditions, a 증조할머니 is viewed as a vital link that validates a person's connection to their ancestral spirits.
Examples in context
- 증조할머니께서 정말 인자하세요.jeungjohalmeonikka jeongmal injahasyeoyo.My great grandmother is very kind.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hoon are talking about family photos.
- 지은 Ji-eun이 사진 속 분은 누구세요?i sajin sok buneun nuguseyo?Who is this person in the photo?
- 지훈 Ji-hun우리 증조할머니예요.uri jeungjohalmeoni-eyo.She is my great grandmother.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 아름다우시네요.jeongmal areumdauseuneyo.She is truly beautiful.
- 지훈 Ji-hun감사해요, 정말 고우세요.gamsahaeyo, jeongmal gouseyo.Thank you, she is very lovely.
