German · People & Family
"Grandparents" in German: Großeltern
die Großeltern
Grandparents in German is die Großeltern. Individually: die Oma, der Opa. Formal: Großmutter / Großvater. Plural only for both.
Weekend plan
Sonntag besuchen wir die Großeltern.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Großeltern
Say it
dee GROSS-el-tern
/diː ˈɡʁoːsˌʔɛltɐn/
dee GROSS-el-tern. ß like ss; stress GROSS.
"Grandparents" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Großeltern | the grandparents Core plural. | Core plural. |
| Oma und Opa | grandma and grandpa Warm everyday. | Warm everyday. |
| Großmutter / Großvater | grandmother / grandfather Formal. | Formal. |
| zu den Großeltern | to the grandparents' Visit phrase. | Visit phrase. |
How to use Großeltern in real life
- 1Weekend plan
Sonntag besuchen wir die Großeltern.
Sunday we're visiting the grandparents.
Visit.
- 2Photo album
Hier sind meine Großeltern in den 70ern.
Here are my grandparents in the 70s.
Photos.
- 3Gift shopping
Was schenken wir den Großeltern?
What are we giving the grandparents?
Gifts.
Mistakes English speakers make with Großeltern
Incorrect: die Großelterns
Correct: die Großeltern
Already plural; no -s.
Incorrect: der Großeltern
Correct: die Großeltern
Plural uses die.
Good to know
Oma and Opa are the warm defaults; die Großeltern fits forms and polite speech. Many German kids still see grandparents weekly.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Planning Sunday
ChatPal
Kaffee bei wem?
Coffee at whose place?
You
Bei den Großeltern.
At the grandparents'.
ChatPal
Kuchen mitbringen?
Bring cake?
You
Ja — die Großeltern lieben Apfelkuchen.
Yes — the grandparents love apple cake.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Grandparents" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Grandparents" in German
How do you say grandparents?
Die Großeltern.
Grandma / grandpa?
Oma / Opa.
Formal words?
Großmutter / Großvater.
To the grandparents'?
Zu den Großeltern.
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
