“Grandmother” in Japanese is 祖母 (そぼ), pronounced sobo.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
祖母 is your own grandmother; おばあさん (obāsan) is someone else’s or an elderly woman in general. Careful: おばさん with a short a means aunt.
Example sentences
- 祖母は九十歳です。そぼはきゅうじゅっさいです。My grandmother is ninety.
- おばあさんと話しました。おばあさんとはなしました。I talked with an old lady.
Related forms
| Meaning | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| polite / general | おばあさん | obāsan |
Quick practice
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FAQ
How do you say grandmother in Japanese?
Grandmother in Japanese is 祖母 (そぼ), pronounced “sobo”.
How do you write grandmother in Japanese?
It's written 祖母 with kanji, or そぼ in hiragana. Both are read sobo.
Is 祖母 on the JLPT?
Yes. 祖母 (sobo) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.