おばあさん

おばあさん
noun
grandmother, elderly woman
informalhonorificfamily
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

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)
Related: 祖父(そふ) (my grandfather)
Related: おじいちゃん (grandpa)
Related: おば (aunt)
Compare: 老婦人(ろうふじん) (elderly woman)
basic
Added 2026.1.11 18:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
02500/02863_obaasan