If you’re learning Spanish, you can use your knowledge of the language to show your grandmother how much you love her. For that reason, in this article, we compiled a list of different words that speakers use to say ‘grandma’ in Spanish.
All of these words are perfect to use with your grandmother, but depending on the country, some of these nicknames may be more popular than others. So in order to help you choose a nice nickname for your grandma, these words come with their descriptions.
By the end of this article, you’ll have more options to say ‘grandma’ in Spanish.
1. Abuela – Grandmother
Abuela is the most standard way to say ‘grandmother’ in Spanish. Depending on the context and the sentence, this word can be translated either as grandmother or granma. ‘Abuela’ can be used either to refer to your grandmother or to address her directly.
¡Abuela! ¿Estás en casa?
Grandma, are you home?
Ve a ver cómo está tu abuela
Go see how your grandmother is doing
Oye, Fernanda, ¿cómo está tu abuela?
Hey, Fernanda, how is your grandmother?
¿Quiere que le ayude en algo, abuela?
Do you want me to help you with something, grandma?
2. Abue – Grandma / Granny
As a short version of ‘abuela’, abue is one of the most popular nicknames that Spanish speakers use to say ‘grandmother’. This word is the direct translation of ‘grandma’ or ‘granny’. On top of being used as a nickname, people can also use ‘abue’ to refer to another person’s grandmother. But since it’s a very affectionate word, we only use it if we’re close to this person.
Qué rica está la comida, abue
The food is delicious, granny
Mañana voy a ir a visitar a mi abue
Tomorrow, I’ll go to visit my grandma
Mi amor, ¿cómo ha estado tu abue?
Sweetie, how has your grandma been?
Abue, ¿quiere que saque a pasear al perro?
Granny, do you want me to walk the dog?
Take Note: Abue is not exclusively used for ‘grandmother’. In fact, it’s also a short and affectionate version of ‘abuelo’ and ‘abuelos’. So don’t be surprised if you hear it in either of these contexts.
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Get the free kit →3. Abuelita – Grandma
Abuelita is the diminutive form of ‘abuela’ and, as a result, it’s a very affectionate way to say ‘grandmother’ in Spanish. Just like other words, ‘abuelita’ can be used to address your grandma or to talk about her with others.
Ismael vive con su abuelita
Ismael lives with his grandma
Deja le llevo estas cosas a mi abuelita
Let me take these things to my grandma
Buenos días, abuelita, ¿cómo durmió?
Good morning, grandma, how did you sleep?
¿Vas con tu abuelita? Espérame, le voy a mandar comida
Are you going to your grandma’s? Wait, I’m going to send her food
Take Note: In Spanish, abuelita can also be used to refer or to talk with affection and respect to an old woman that is not your grandmother.
Hay una abuelita en el parque que vende unos pasteles muy ricos
There’s a grandma in the park that sells delicious cakes
4. Mami / Mamá – Mommy / Mom
In Latin American countries, mami and mom are a popular nickname for grandmothers. This term is very affectionate because it gives your grandmother the title of ‘mom’. As a result, it implies that we have a deep love and respect for our grandmother just like we do for our moms.
¿Vamos a ir a ver a mi mami el domingo?
Are we going to go see my mommy on Saturday?
Even though you could use ‘mami’ as a single word to call your grandmother, Latin American speakers use the following structure to distinguish between their moms and their grandmothers.
Mami/Mamá + [your grandma’s name]
Dále un besito a tu mami Gracia
Give your mommy Gracia a kiss
Hola, mamá Laura, ¿cómo ha estado?
Hi, mom Laura, how have you been?
Mi mami Ana nos invitó a comer el domingo
My mommy Ana invited us to lunch on Sunday
Take Note: Using ‘mami’ as a way to say ‘grandma’ is very cute and affectionate. However, some moms may get jealous and not like it (after all you only have one mom). As a result, using this nickname will depend on the family’s preferences.
Related Resource: Different Ways to Say Mom in Spanish
5. Abu – Granny / Grandma
Abu is the shortest version of the Spanish word ‘abuela’. Therefore, it’s also used as a nickname for ‘grandmother’. Just like other words from this list, using ‘abu’ depends on the individual’s personal preferences. ‘Abu’ could be translated either as ‘granny’ or ‘grandma’.
Abu, mi mamá te mandó esto
Grandma, my mom sent you this
¿Dónde le dejo su bolsa, abu?
Where should I leave your bag, grandma?
¿Cómo está tu abu? Hace mucho que no la veo
How is your granny? I haven’t seen her in a while
6. Nana – Nana
Nana is a Spanish translation for ‘granny’. Even though ‘nana’ is also used as a way to say grandma in Spanish, it’s not as popular as other terms from this list. In fact, this word’s popularity may vary depending on the Spanish speaking country and on the person’s preference.
A mi nana le gusta tejar
My nana likes to knit
Hijo, tu nana te mando un beso y un abrazo
Son, your nana send you a kiss and hug
No puedo ir hoy, le dije a mi nana que iría a ayudarle
I can’t go today, I told my nana that I would go help her
Take Note: Nana is the Spanish word for ‘babysitter’. As a result, this word may not be as commonly used to address a grandmother.
7. Lita – Granny / Grandma
Lita is one of the short versions of ‘abuelita’. It actually comes from small children having issues pronouncing ‘abuelita’. However, this nickname is also quite popular among grown-ups too. Since this word can be considered a little bit cutesy, using it will depend on your preferences.
Mamá, ¿vas a ir con la lita?
Mom, are you going to grandma’s?
La lita nos mandó este frasco de mermelada
Granny sent us this jar of jam
Lita, voy al supermercado, ¿necesita algo?
Granny, I’m going to the supermarket, do you need anything?
8. Tita – Grandma
In some Spanish speaking countries, tita is an affectionate word to call your grandmother. This meaning cannot be applied in Spain where ‘tita’ is used to say ‘aunt’.
Tita, te trajimos estas flores
Grandma, we brought you these flowers
¿Sabes dónde están los lentes de la tita?
Do you know where grandma’s glasses are?
Dile a tu tita que la busca una señora
Tell your grandma that a lady is looking for her
Hijo, tu tita dijo que dejaste tus juguetes en su casa
Son, your grandma said that you left your toys in her house
9. Yaya – Nana / Grandma
In both Latin American countries and Spain, yaya is another Spanish word that can be used to refer to your grandmother. This affectionate nickname can be translated as ‘nana’ or ‘grandma’.
Gracias por la cena, yaya
Thank you for dinner, nana
Yaya, si quieres ir al doctor, yo te puedo llevar
Grandma, if you want to go to the doctor, I can take you
Oigan, mañana es el cumpleaños de la yaya, ¿tienen su regalo listo?
Hey, you guys, tomorrow is grandma’s birthday, do you have her present ready?
Wrapping Up
In this article, we compiled some of the most common words that you can use to say ‘grandma’ in Spanish. Although most of these words are applicable to all Spanish speaking countries, there are a few of them that won’t have the same meaning.
Now, you’re ready to start using these words with your grandma :)
