お祖母さん

• Reading: おばあさん
• Romaji: obaasan
• Kanji breakdown: 祖 (so) — ancestor; 母 (bo/haha) — mother; お〜さん — honorific address form
• Pronunciation: /o.baː.saɴ/

Meaning

Grandmother; grandma. The polite or familiar term of address for a grandmother.

The honorific form used when addressing your own grandmother directly or referring to someone else's grandmother. Often written in hiragana as おばあさん. Can also be used to address an elderly woman you don't know. The long vowel ばあ distinguishes it from おばさん (aunt).

Examples

1. おばあさんはとても元気です。 Grandma is very energetic.
2. 友達のおばあさんが着物を見せてくれました。 My friend's grandmother showed us her kimono.
3. おばあさんの家でお正月を過ごしました。 We spent New Year's at Grandma's house.

Usage Guide

Context: home life, talking about others' grandmothers, direct address

Tone: warm

Origin & History

Formed by adding the honorific prefix お to 祖母さん (baasan). The long vowel ばあ distinguishes it from おばさん (aunt), which has a short vowel.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal