祖父
sofu[so̞ɸɯ̟]
The English phrase "my grandfather" is translated into Japanese as 祖父 (sofu).
The term is used to refer to the father of one's father or mother.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 祖父 is composed of two parts: the kanji 祖, meaning ancestor or founder and 父, meaning father.
Which one should you use?
While 祖父 is used to refer to your own grandfather when speaking to others, おじいさん is used when addressing him directly or referring to someone else's grandfather. For a more affectionate and colloquial way to say "grandpa", you can use おじいちゃん.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
祖父 is the humble way to refer to one's own grandfather in formal or polite social situations. In informal and affectionate contexts, you might use じいちゃん when addressing or talking about your grandfather.
How do you pronounce it?
sofu
Did you know?
- If you were to address a stranger as おじいさん, you are not just saying 'grandfather', but are using it as a respectful title for an elderly man.
- The word 祖父 was borrowed from Middle Chinese using the 'kan'on' reading, which was a later system of pronouncing Chinese characters in Japan.
- Because 祖父 is so formal, using it when speaking directly to your grandfather's face would actually be quite strange and socially distant.
Examples in context
- 私の祖父です。This is my grandfather.This sentence is useful for introducing your grandfather.Tatoeba #10763900 by small_snow, translation #1898106 by CK
- 祖父は大阪の出身です。My grandfather comes from Osaka.This sentence is useful for stating where your grandfather comes from.Tatoeba #140692 by bunbuku, translation #273881 by CN
- 祖父は９０歳代である。My grandfather is in his nineties.This sentence is useful for stating your grandfather's age.Tatoeba #140714 by bunbuku, translation #273859 by CK
- あの方はお祖父さんですか？Is that person your grandfather?
- おじいさん、お元気ですか？Grandfather, how are you?
- じいちゃん、遊ぼうよ！Grandpa, let's play!
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at old family photos.
- 結衣 Yuiこの写真は誰ですか？Kono shashin wa dare desu ka?Who is this in the photo?
- 蓮 Ren私の祖父です。Watashi no sofu desu.It is my grandfather.
- 結衣 Yuiとても優しそうな人ですね。Totemo yasashisouna hito desu ne.He looks like a very kind person.
- 蓮 Renはい、本当に優しいんです。Hai, hontou ni yasashii n desu.Yes, he really is kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 祖父, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 祖父, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
