γιαγιά
giagiá/ʝaˈʝa/
The English phrase "nana" is translated into Greek as γιαγιά (giagiá).
γιαγιά is an informal term used by children to refer to their grandmother.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is giagiá. The IPA is /ʝaˈʝa/.
Did you know?
- Historically, Greek had a word νενέ for granny, which mirrors the 'nana' sound found in several other European languages.
- In some traditional Greek rural communities, the 'γιαγιά' is historically viewed as the primary keeper of folk medicine and herbal remedies for the family.
- While γιαγιά is the standard term, some Greek families use the more affectionate diminutive γιαγιακούλα to sound even sweeter.
Examples in context
- Γεια σου, Νάνα! Πώς περνάς σήμερα;Hello, Nana! How are you doing today?
- Τζίμης, η Νάνα σου έφτιαξε τα αγαπημένα σου γλυκά.Jim, your Nana made your favorite sweets.
- Η γιαγιά μου είναι πολύ καλή.I yiayia mou einai poly kali.My nana is very kind.
- Η γιαγιά φέρνει γλυκά.I yiayia fernei glyka.Nana brings sweets.
Example conversation
A child is talking to his grandmother in the kitchen.
- Κώστας KostasΓιαγιά, πότε θα φάμε;Giagiá, póte tha fáme?Nana, when will we eat?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΣε λίγα λεπτά, Κώστα.Se líga leptá, Kósta.In a few minutes, Kostas.
- Κώστας KostasΕίναι το αγαπημένο μου φαγητό!Eínai to agapiméno mou faghitó!It is my favorite food!
- Κυριακή KyriakiΞέρω, γι' αυτό το έφτιαξα.Xéro, gi' aftó to éftiaxa.I know, that's why I made it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry γιαγιά, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries γιαγιά, CC BY-SA 4.0.
