おばあさん

おばあさん
noun
grandmother, elderly woman
See also: おばさん (aunt (sound-alike)), 祖母(そぼ) (humble/formal form)
1. grandmother
One's grandmother or someone else's grandmother.
おばあさんに会(あ)いに行(い)った。
I went to see my grandmother.
おばあさんは料理(りょうり)が上手(じょうず)だ。
My grandmother is good at cooking.
おばあさんに手紙(てがみ)を書(か)いた。
I wrote a letter to my grandmother.
おばあさんの作(つく)る料理(りょうり)が好(す)きだ。
I like my grandmother's cooking.
おばあさんは優(やさ)しい人(ひと)だ。
My grandmother is a kind person.
おばあさんに電話(でんわ)した。
I called my grandmother.
2. elderly woman, old lady
An older woman.
おばあさんが公園(こうえん)で散歩(さんぽ)していた。
An elderly woman was taking a walk in the park.
あのおばあさんは一人(ひとり)で暮(く)らしている。
That elderly woman lives alone.
おばあさんが道(みち)に迷(まよ)っていた。
An elderly woman was lost.
おばあさんに席(せき)を譲(ゆず)った。
I gave up my seat for the elderly woman.
おばあさんが重(おも)い荷物(にもつ)を持(も)っていたので、手伝(てつだ)ってあげた。
An elderly woman was carrying heavy luggage, so I helped her.

おばあさん has two uses: (1) addressing/referring to one's grandmother, and (2) referring to elderly women in general.

GRANDMOTHER TERMS BY FORMALITY:

  • 祖母(そぼ): my grandmother (humble, formal writing/speech)
  • おばあさん: grandmother (polite, general reference)
  • おばあちゃん: grandma (casual, affectionate)
  • ばあちゃん: granny (very casual, intimate)

PATERNAL VS MATERNAL:

IMPORTANT DISTINCTION:

  • おばあさん: grandmother / elderly woman (extra あ)
  • おばさん: aunt / middle-aged woman (no extra あ)

These are different words! Confusing them can be offensive.

RELATED FAMILY TERMS:

USAGE NOTE:
When referring to an unknown elderly woman, おばあさん is polite. Using あのおばあちゃん for a stranger can sound overly familiar.

Related Words

Related: おじいさん (grandfather)
basic
Added 2026.1.11 18:26 · Revised 2026.5.23 4:10
02500/02863_obaasan