祖母(そぼ)

そぼ
noun
grandmother (humble)
humblefamily
See also: おばあさん (neutral-polite form)
1. grandmother (humble/formal)
The humble or formal term for one's own grandmother. Used when speaking about your grandmother to others in polite contexts.
祖母(そぼ)は元気(げんき)です。
My grandmother is well.
祖母(そぼ)は今年(ことし)八十歳(はちじゅっさい)になります。
My grandmother will turn 80 this year.
毎週(まいしゅう)祖母(そぼ)に電話(でんわ)します。
I call my grandmother every week.
祖母(そぼ)は遠(とお)くに住(す)んでいますので、夏休(なつやす)みによく会(あ)いに行(い)きます。
My grandmother lives far away, so I often go to see her during summer vacation.
私(わたし)の祖母(そぼ)は若(わか)い時(とき)、先生(せんせい)でした。今(いま)でも本(ほん)を読(よ)むのが好(す)きです。
My grandmother was a teacher when she was young. She still likes reading books.

祖母(そぼ) is the humble/formal term for one's own grandmother, used when speaking to others in polite or formal contexts.

Family term register

  • 祖母(そぼ): humble/formal (about your own grandmother)
  • おばあさん: neutral-polite (about someone else's grandmother)
  • おばあちゃん: casual/affectionate (direct address or about your own)
  • おばあさま: respectful (about someone else's grandmother)

Companion terms

Usage

In writing, essays, and formal speech, 祖母(そぼ) is standard. In everyday conversation, most people say おばあちゃん when talking about their own grandmother.
外祖母(がいそぼ) specifically means maternal grandmother, and 内祖母(ないそぼ) means paternal grandmother, but these terms are rarely used in daily conversation.

Related Words

Related: 祖父(そふ) (grandfather)
Related: 祖父母(そふぼ) (grandparents)
Related: おば (aunt)
Related: 孫(まご) (grandchild)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:44 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:00
00500/00813_sobo