An elderly man and an elderly woman standing together, smiling warmly.

abuelos

ah-BWEH-lohs

nounmA1

grandparents?A group consisting of a grandfather and a grandmother, or multiple grandfathers and grandmothers.

Also:grandfathers?Specifically referring to more than one male grandparent.

📝 In Action

Mis abuelos viven en una casa cerca del mar.

My grandparents live in a house near the sea.

Tengo cuatro abuelos: dos por parte de mi madre y dos por parte de mi padre.

I have four grandparents: two on my mother's side and two on my father's side.

Mis dos abuelos fueron carpinteros.

Both of my grandfathers were carpenters.

Word Connections

Synonyms

yayos (grandies / grandmas and grandpas (informal))

Antonyms

nietos (grandchildren)

Common Collocations

abuelos paternos – paternal grandparents
abuelos maternos – maternal grandparents
día de los abuelos – Grandparents' Day

Idioms & Expressions

No tener abuela – To be full of oneself or to praise oneself too much (literally, to have no grandmother to do the praising for you)

💡 Grammar Points

The Mixed Gender Rule

In Spanish, if you have a group of people with at least one male, you use the masculine plural form. This is why 'abuelos' can mean 'two grandfathers' OR 'a grandmother and a grandfather'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Saying 'grandparents' incorrectly

Mistake: "Using 'abuelos y abuelas' to mean your grandparents."

Correction: Just say 'mis abuelos'. It already includes both your grandfather and your grandmother.

⭐ Usage Tips

Which side of the family?

If you want to specify which grandparents you mean, use 'maternos' for your mom's side and 'paternos' for your dad's side.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: abuelos

Question 1 of 2

If you are talking about one grandmother and one grandfather together, which word should you use?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

abuelo(grandfather) - noun

abuela(grandmother) - noun

abuelito(grandpa / granddad) - noun

bisabuelos(great-grandparents) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'abuelos' always mean exactly two people?

Not necessarily! It can mean your two grandparents, but it can also refer to your entire set of four grandparents or multiple grandfathers.

Can I use 'abuelos' for old people who aren't my relatives?

While it is sometimes used informally or affectionately, it can be considered slightly disrespectful in some regions. Words like 'ancianos' or 'personas mayores' are more polite for strangers.