mamie
/ma.mi/
The English phrase "nana" is translated into French as mamie.
mamie is used as an informal term to refer to a grandmother.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /ma.mi/.
Did you know?
- If you use the word nana in France instead of mamie, you are actually using a slang term for a 'girl' or 'woman' rather than referring to a grandmother.
- Using mamie for a woman who is not your biological grandmother can be seen as overly intimate and might be considered patronizing if you do not know her well.
- The word mamie shares a phonetic lineage with the German word Mami, showing how similar family nicknames can cross linguistic borders in Europe.
Examples in context
- Coucou, nana! Comment ça va aujourd'hui?Hey, grandma! How are you doing today?
- Ma mamie fait de bons gâteaux.My granny makes good cakes.
- Je vais rendre visite à ma mamie.I am going to visit my granny.
- Ta mamie est très gentille.Your granny is very kind.
Example conversation
Two children are talking about their families at school.
- HugoEst-ce que tu vois ta mamie ce week-end ?Are you seeing your granny this weekend?
- EmmaOui, Hugo, je vais chez ma mamie.Yes, Hugo, I am going to my granny's house.
- HugoElle habite loin d'ici ?Does she live far from here?
- EmmaNon, elle habite juste à côté.No, she lives right nearby.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mamie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mamie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
