おばあちゃん
obaachan
The English term "nana" can be expressed in Japanese as おばあちゃん (obaachan).
This term is an informal way to refer to a grandmother, often used by children.
How do you pronounce it?
obaachan
Did you know?
- The sound ばあ (baa) in おばあちゃん is a long vowel, and shortening it to おばちゃん (obachan) changes the meaning entirely to 'aunt'.
- In many Japanese households, the term おばあちゃん is used as a generic, affectionate way to address any elderly woman, even if they are not related.
- If you see a very old woman in a storybook or a cartoon, she might be referred to as 老婆 (rouba), but saying this to a person's face would be incredibly offensive.
Examples in context
- 私のおじいさんは七十歳です。My grandfather is seventy years old.
- 私は絵を七つ描きました。I drew seven pictures.
- 今日は七日だよ。Today is the seventh.
- 七時に会いましょう！Let's meet at seven o'clock!
- おばあちゃん、大好き。Obaachan, daisuki.Grandma, I love you.
- おばあちゃんに電話しよう。Obaachan ni denwa shiyou.Let's call grandma.
- おばあちゃんはどこにいるの？Obaachan wa doko ni iru no?Where is grandma?
Example conversation
Two children are talking in their living room.
- 蓮 Renねえ、おばあちゃんはいつ来るの？Nee, obaachan wa itsu kuru no?Hey, when is grandma coming?
- 結衣 Yuiもうすぐ来るよ。Mousugu kuru yo.She's coming soon.
- 蓮 Renおばあちゃんにプレゼントを渡したいな。Obaachan ni purezento o watashitai na.I want to give grandma a present.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くん、それはいいアイデアだね。Ren-kun, sore wa ii aidea da ne.Ren, that is a good idea.
