bisabuela
/bisabwela/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for great grandmother is bisabuela.
bisabuela is used to refer to the mother of one's grandmother or grandfather.
What does it mean word for word?
The prefix bi- comes from the Latin bis, meaning "twice", indicating that she is two generations above the grandparent.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain areas of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, the term tatarabuelita is used as a diminutive of tatarabuela.
How do you pronounce it?
/bisabwela/
Did you know?
- The prefix bi- in bisabuela is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'bicycle', as both come from the root for 'two'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, adding the suffix '-ita' to create bisabuelita is not just a way to say 'little great-grandmother', but a common way to show deep affection and respect.
- If you want to go even further back to a great-great-grandmother, the Spanish term shifts to tatarabuela, completely abandoning the 'bi-' prefix pattern.
Examples in context
- Ella es mi bisabuela.She's my great-grandmother.This sentence is useful for identifying a person as your bisabuela.Tatoeba #1981278 by hayastan, translation #2774291 by _undertoad
- Esto es más difícil que resucitar a mi bisabuela.This is more difficult than bringing my great grandmother back to life.This sentence uses bisabuela in a hyperbolic comparison regarding difficulty.Tatoeba #6306020 by dfrankmv, translation #6393183 by npvojtik
- La madre de mi abuela es mi "bisabuela," ¿Así que la madre de mi bisabuela es mi "tatarabuela"? ¿Verdad?My grandmother's mother is my "great grandmother," so my great grandmother's mother is my "great great grandmother"? Is that right?This sentence helps clarify the generational relationship between a bisabuela and a tatarabuela.Tatoeba #2847370 by cueyayotl, translation #1487831 by marshmallowcat
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking at an old family photograph.
- Mateo¿Quién es la mujer de la foto?Who is the woman in the photo?
- LucíaEs mi bisabuela.She is my great grandmother.
- MateoParece una mujer muy amable.She looks like a very kind woman.
- LucíaSí, era muy dulce.Yes, she was very sweet.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
