祖父

• Reading: そふ
• Romaji: sofu
• Kanji breakdown: 祖 (so) — ancestor, founder; 父 (fu/chichi) — father
• Pronunciation: /so.ɸɯ/

Meaning

Grandfather. The humble term used when referring to one's own grandfather.

Used when talking about your own grandfather to others. The honorific form おじいさん is used for someone else's grandfather or when addressing your own grandfather directly. This word follows the same humble/honorific pattern as 父/お父さん.

Examples

1. 祖父は八十歳です。 My grandfather is eighty years old.
2. 祖父の家は山の近くにあります。 My grandfather's house is near the mountains.
3. 夏休みに祖父に会いに行きます。 I go to visit my grandfather during summer vacation.

Usage Guide

Context: talking about family, self-introduction, formal conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 祖 (so, 'ancestor/founder') and 父 (fu, 'father'). Together they literally mean 'ancestor father,' the father of one's parents.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal