German · People & Family
"Grandmother" in German: Großmutter
die Großmutter
Note: everyday: die Oma
Grandmother in German is die Großmutter. In everyday speech almost everyone says die Oma. Plural of Oma is Omas; Großmütter is the formal plural.
Family visit
Am Sonntag besuchen wir meine Großmutter.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Großmutter
Say it
GROHS-moot-er
/ˈɡʁoːsˌmʊtɐ/
GROHS-moot-er. Long o with ß. Soft final -er.
"Grandmother" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Großmutter | grandmother Neutral / formal. | Neutral / formal. |
| die Oma | grandma Everyday affectionate word. | Everyday affectionate word. |
| Omi | granny Very cozy nickname. | Very cozy nickname. |
| Großeltern | grandparents Both together. | Both together. |
How to use Großmutter in real life
- 1Family visit
Am Sonntag besuchen wir meine Großmutter.
On Sunday we're visiting my grandmother.
Formal family wording.
- 2Childhood story
Meine Großmutter hat mir das Rezept gegeben.
My grandmother gave me the recipe.
Heritage talk.
- 3Phone call
Ruf bitte deine Großmutter an.
Please call your grandmother.
Parent to child.
Mistakes English speakers make with Großmutter
Incorrect: der Großmutter
Correct: die Großmutter
Feminine: die. Der Großmutter is dative/genitive.
Incorrect: Meine Grandma kocht.
Correct: Meine Großmutter kocht. / Meine Oma kocht.
Use Großmutter or Oma.
Good to know
Oma is far more common in speech than Großmutter. Forms and obituaries may still use Großmutter. Many kids have Oma names that stick for life.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Remembering a birthday
ChatPal
Ist heute der Geburtstag deiner Großmutter?
Is today your grandmother's birthday?
You
Ja. Meine Großmutter wird achtzig.
Yes. My grandmother turns eighty.
ChatPal
Krass. Was schenkst du deiner Großmutter?
Wow. What are you giving your grandmother?
You
Einen Fotoalbum-Druck.
A printed photo album.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Grandmother" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Grandmother" in German
Do people say Großmutter or Oma?
Oma in everyday talk; Großmutter in careful or formal language.
What is the plural?
Großmütter; for Oma usually Omas.
How do you say grandparents?
Die Großeltern.
How do you say grandfather?
Der Großvater or Opa.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
