ひいおじいさん
hiiojiisan
The English phrase 'great grandpa' is translated into Japanese as ひいおじいさん (hiiojiisan).
ひいおじいさん is used to refer to the father of one's grandparent.
What does it mean word for word?
The term uses the prefix ひい, which indicates a generation above the standard level, similar to the English 'great-' in family relations.
Which one should you use?
You may also encounter ひいおじいちゃん, which is a more affectionate version or the formal 曾祖父 specifically for a paternal great grandfather.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more affectionate and informal tone, often used by children, you can use ひいおじいちゃん. The term 曾祖父 is a formal way to say 'great grandpa' specifically when referring to one's paternal great grandfather.
How do you pronounce it?
hiiojiisan
Did you know?
- While ひい indicates a great-grandparent, you can continue adding ひい to describe even older ancestors, such as ひいひいおじいさん for a great-great-grandfather.
- In formal contexts, the kanji for 'great grandpa' 曾祖父 can be read as sōfu, which sounds completely different from the spoken ひいおじいさん.
- While children use the cute version ひいおじいちゃん, using this same version when speaking to a stranger about their own great grandfather would be considered quite rude.
Examples in context
- ひいおじいさんは 元気ですか？hii-ojiisan wa genki desu ka?Is your great grandpa doing well?
- ひいおじいさんの 写真を 見せてください。hii-ojiisan no shashin o misete kudasai.Please show me a photo of your great grandpa.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at an old family album.
- 蓮 Renこの ひいおじいさんは 誰ですか？kono hii-ojiisan wa dare desu ka?Who is this great grandpa?
- 美咲 Misakiこれは 私の ひいおじいさん です。kore wa watashi no hii-ojiisan desu.This is my great grandpa.
- 蓮 Renとても 優しそうな 男性 ですね。totemo yasashisou na dansei desu ne.He looks like a very kind man.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、とても 優しい 人 です。hai, totemo yasashii hito desu.Yes, he is a very kind person.
