01
der Großvater
grandfather
The father of one's own father or mother.
example
Mein Großvater erzählt mir oft Geschichten aus seiner Jugend.
My grandfather often tells me stories from his youth.
der Großvater
grandfather
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is simply made up of 'groß' (big/great) and 'Vater' (father). 'Groß-' is used here in the sense of 'one generation before,' not in the sense of physical size.
EXAMPLE
Mein Großvater ist kleiner als mein Vater.
My grandfather is shorter than my father.
Colloquial language
In everyday life, and especially when talking with family, the short form 'Opa' (grandpa) is almost always used. 'Großvater' (grandfather) is more formal and is used more in written language.
EXAMPLE
Am Sonntag besuchen wir Opa und Oma.
On Sunday we are visiting Grandpa and Grandma.
Word family
The prefix 'Groß-' refers to your parents' parents' generation. It also works for other family members, for example 'die Großmutter' (grandmother/grandma) and 'die Großeltern' (grandparents; grandma and grandpa together).
EXAMPLE
Meine Großeltern leben auf dem Land.
My grandparents live in the countryside.
Compare with
Großvater vs Vater
father
'der Vater' and 'der Großvater' both belong to the family and refer to male relatives. 'der Vater' is the male parent of a child. 'der Großvater' is one generation older: he is the father of the mother or father. The words can be confused because both often appear in a family context and are connected with children. A practical tip: the father has a child; the grandfather has a grandchild.
Großvater
Beim Frühstück erzählt Frau Hofmann von ihrem Großvater.
At breakfast, Ms. Hofmann talks about her grandfather.
Vater
Leas Vater hilft ihr heute bei den Hausaufgaben.
Lea's father is helping her with her homework today.
In real life
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