Japanese word

おばあちゃん

Pronunciation

Romajiobāchan

Meaning

  • noungrandma

Example

おばあちゃんは元気です。o bā cha n wa gen ki de su

Grandma is well.

Illustration for おばあちゃん (grandma)

More examples

おばあちゃんは毎日元気です。o bā cha n wa mai nichi gen ki de su

Grandma is well every day.

夏休みには、おばあちゃんに会いに行きます。natsu yasu mi ni wa o bā cha n ni a i ni i ki ma su

I will go to see my grandma during summer vacation.

Core concept

Names a grandmother in a warm, familiar way within family conversation.

Common phrases

  • おばあちゃんの家o bā cha n no ie

    grandma's house

  • おばあちゃんに会うo bā cha n ni a u

    see grandma

  • おばあちゃんに電話するo bā cha n ni den wa su ru

    call grandma

Similar words

祖母sobo: A formal term for one's grandmother, mainly used when referring to her.
ばあばbaaba: A familiar family term for a grandmother, often used by children.
おばあさんobāsan: A polite term for a grandmother, also used for an older woman.

Definition in Japanese

自分や相手の祖母を親しみを込めて指すくだけた呼び方。ji bun ya ai te no so bo o shita shi mi o ko me te sa su ku da ke ta yo bi kata

Word origin

The word おばあちゃん (obāchan) is based on おばあさん (obāsan), with さん (san, a polite suffix) changed to ちゃん (chan, a familiar suffix) to mark a warmer relationship.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, おばあちゃん (obāchan) can serve both as a way to address a grandmother and as a familiar way to refer to her.

Word lists with this word