bisavó
The English phrase "great grandmother" is translated into Portuguese as bisavó.
bisavó refers to the mother of one's grandmother or grandfather.
What does it mean word for word?
The prefix bi- means "twice" or "double", indicating the two-step generational jump from the grandparent.
Did you know?
- Portuguese has no single word for 'great-great-great-grandmother', so speakers often switch to counting generations or using tataravó for a fourth-generation ancestor.
- While 'bisavó' is the formal term, many people use the term bisavózinha to add a diminutive, endearing suffix when speaking to or about a beloved great-grandmother.
- Because Portuguese uses the prefix system for generations, one can theoretically extend the family tree to 'tetravó' for a great-great-great-grandmother.
Examples in context
- Ela é minha bisavó.She's my great-grandmother.This sentence is useful for identifying a person as your bisavó.Tatoeba #1973893 by Matheus, translation #2774291 by _undertoad
- Que idade tem a tua bisavó?How old is your great-grandmother?This sentence is useful for asking about the age of someone's bisavó.Tatoeba #7093807 by iart61, translation #12549485 by laetitiamg
- Eu só tenho uma foto da minha bisavó.I only have one picture of great-grandmother.This sentence is useful for mentioning that you possess a photograph of your bisavó.Tatoeba #5907449 by bill, translation #5904731 by CK
- Ontem, conversei com minha bisavó por telefone.Yesterday, I talked to my great grandmother on the phone.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Camila and Rodrigo are looking at an old family photo album.
- CamilaQuem é a senhora nesta foto?Who is the lady in this photo?
- RodrigoEsta é a minha bisavó.This is my great grandmother.
- CamilaEla era muito bonita!She was very beautiful!
- RodrigoSim, a minha bisavó era elegante.Yes, my great grandmother was elegant.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
