German word

Großeltern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈgʁoːsˌɛltɐn/

Meaning

  • noungrandparents

Example

Als Kind habe ich viel Zeit mit meinen Großeltern verbracht.

As a child, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents.

Illustration for Großeltern (grandparents)

More examples

Ich besuche morgen meine Großeltern.

I’m visiting my grandparents tomorrow.

Core concept

Two older family figures standing one generation above a child's parents in the family tree.

Common phrases

  • die Großeltern besuchen

    visit the grandparents

  • mit den Großeltern essen

    eat with the grandparents

  • bei den Großeltern vorbeischauen

    stop by the grandparents' place

Similar words

Opa: A casual and affectionate term for a grandfather.
Oma: A casual and affectionate term for a grandmother.
Großelternteil: A term for one grandfather or one grandmother.

Definition in German

Die Eltern der eigenen Eltern, also Großvater und Großmutter zusammen.

Word origin

German Großeltern is formed from Groß- and Eltern, with Groß- marking the generation above the parents.

Usage tips

  • The plural form does not identify gender, while Großvater and Großmutter identify an individual grandfather or grandmother.

Opposites

Related words

  • Großelternschaftgrandparenthoodnoun
  • Großelternzeittime with grandparentsnoun

Word lists with this word