Inklingo

How to Say "grandma" in Spanish

English → Spanish

abuela

/ah-BWEH-lah//aˈβwela/

nounA1
Use 'abuela' as the general, everyday term for 'grandmother' in most contexts, similar to how you'd use 'grandmother' or 'grandma' in English.
A colorful storybook illustration showing an elderly woman, a grandmother, sitting in a rocking chair and warmly reading a book to a young child sitting on her lap.

Examples

Mi abuela vive en México.

My grandmother lives in Mexico.

¿Vamos a visitar a la abuela este fin de semana?

Are we going to visit grandma this weekend?

La abuela de mi amigo es de Argentina y cocina muy bien.

My friend's grandmother is from Argentina and cooks very well.

A Feminine Word

Because 'abuela' ends in '-a', it's a 'feminine' word. This just means you'll use 'la' or 'una' before it. For example, 'la abuela' means 'the grandmother'.

The Personal 'a'

When your grandmother is the one receiving an action (like you are visiting her), you need to add the small word 'a' right before her. For example: 'Visito a mi abuela.' (I visit my grandmother).

Masculine vs. Feminine

Mistake: “Mi abuelo es mi mamá's mamá.”

Correction: Mi abuela es la mamá de mi mamá. 'Abuela' is for grandmother, and 'abuelo' is for grandfather.

abuelita

/ah-bweh-LEE-tah//aβweˈlita/

nounA1informal, affectionate
Use 'abuelita' when you want to express affection and warmth towards your grandmother, like calling her 'granny' or 'grandma' in a loving way.
A kind, elderly woman with gray hair wearing a colorful shawl and smiling warmly.

Examples

Mi abuelita hace los mejores tamales del mundo.

My grandma makes the best tamales in the world.

¡Feliz cumpleaños, abuelita!

Happy birthday, Grandma!

Fui a visitar a mi abuelita el domingo.

I went to visit my granny on Sunday.

The Power of '-ita'

The ending '-ita' is a way to show affection. It doesn't just mean a 'small' grandmother; it shows you have a sweet, close relationship with her.

Not just for family

Mistake: “Thinking you can only use it for your own relative.”

Correction: You can use it as a very polite and sweet way to address any elderly woman, even if you aren't related.

nana

/nah-nah//ˈnana/

nounB1informal, regional
Use 'nana' specifically when referring to a nanny or a caregiver for children, which is a different meaning than 'grandmother' in most regions.
A kind woman playing with two happy children in a park.

Examples

La nana cuida a los niños mientras los padres trabajan.

The nanny looks after the children while the parents work.

Quiero mucho a mi nana, ella me crió.

I love my nanny very much; she raised me.

Voy a visitar a mi nana este domingo.

I'm going to visit my grandma/nanny this Sunday.

A feminine profession

Even though language is changing, this word is almost always feminine ('la nana') because it historically refers to women in caregiving roles.

Don't use 'nano'

Mistake: “Calling a male babysitter a 'nano'.”

Correction: A male caregiver would be called a 'niñero' or 'cuidador'. 'Nano' is a different word entirely (often meaning small or a prefix like nano-technology).

Confusing 'nana' with 'grandmother'

The most common mistake for learners is using 'nana' to mean 'grandmother'. While 'nana' can be an affectionate term for a grandmother in some very specific regions or families, its primary and most widespread meaning in Spanish is 'nanny' or 'babysitter'. Stick to 'abuela' or 'abuelita' for your grandmother.

Related Translations

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