Portuguese · People & Family
"Grandmother" in Portuguese: avó
a avó
Note: affectionate: vovó
Grandmother in Portuguese is a avó. Affectionate speech often uses vovó. Say a minha avó for my grandmother.
Family story
Minha avó faz o melhor bolo de chocolate.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce avó
Say it
ah-VOH / voh-VOH
/a.ˈvɔ/
ah-VOH. Open o; vovó is voh-VOH.
"Grandmother" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| a avó | the grandmother Standard word. | Standard word. |
| vovó | grandma Affectionate everyday form. | Affectionate everyday form. |
| minha avó | my grandmother Family talk. | Family talk. |
| avó materna / paterna | maternal / paternal grandmother Family-tree detail. | Family-tree detail. |
| vó | grandma (short) Very casual. | Very casual. |
How to use avó in real life
- 1Family story
Minha avó faz o melhor bolo de chocolate.
My grandmother makes the best chocolate cake.
Classic family praise.
- 2Weekend visit
Vamos visitar a avó no domingo.
We're going to visit grandma on Sunday.
A avó in plans.
- 3Affection
A avó pediu para a gente ligar cedo.
Grandmother asked us to call early.
Avó is the standard word; vovó is the affectionate form.
Mistakes English speakers make with avó
Incorrect: O avó dela.
Correct: A avó dela. / O avô dele for grandfather.
Avó (grandmother) is feminine; avô (grandfather) is masculine.
Incorrect: Minha grandmother.
Correct: Minha avó.
Use Portuguese avó.
Good to know
Avó and avô look similar—accent direction matters (avó vs avô). Brazilian families lean hard on vovó for affection, food, and Sunday visits. Many recipes are still a receita da avó.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Calling family on Sunday
ChatPal
Sua avó vai almoçar com vocês?
Is your grandmother having lunch with you?
You
Vai. Minha avó chega às onze.
Yes. My grandmother arrives at eleven.
ChatPal
A avó gosta de música alta?
Does grandmother like loud music?
You
Adora. A avó sempre pede forró.
She loves it. Grandmother always asks for forró.
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 Portuguese
Avó vs avô?
Avó = grandmother. Avô = grandfather.
Cute form?
Vovó or vó.
My grandmother?
Minha avó.
Gender?
Feminine: a avó.
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
