おばあさま

Alternative writings: おばあ様, お祖母様, お婆様, お祖母さま, お婆さま, 御祖母様, 御婆様, 御祖母さま, 御婆さま
Frequency:
1

A respectful, honorific way to refer to one's or someone else's grandmother.

NounUsually KanaHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

おばあさま、お元気でいらっしゃいますか。

Grandmother, how are you? (polite)

式典で彼はおばあさまに深々とお辞儀をした。

At the ceremony he bowed deeply to his grandmother.

手紙には『おばあさまへ』と丁寧に書いた。

He wrote 'To Grandmother' politely in the letter.

2

A respectful term for an elderly woman; can be used for an old woman whether or not she is one's relative.

NounUsually KanaHonorific or Respectful (Sonkeigo) Language

Examples

駅で道に迷っているおばあさまを駅員が助けていた。

A station attendant was helping an elderly woman who was lost at the station.

ご近所のおばあさまはいつも優しく声をかけてくださる。

The elderly woman next door always speaks kindly to us.

Word Relationships