How do you say grandmother in African languages?

Answer 1

She is called Nyanya

CLARIFICATION: There is no distinction in Swahili between maternal and paternal grandparent. Both grandmothers are bibi or nyanya. In fact, all members of the grandparents' generation are grandfather (babu) and grandmother (bibi) to the grandchild. If you need to make the distinction, say mama wa baba (father'smother) or mama wa mama (mother's mother)

Nyanya is the historic word for grandmother but, at least in Tanzania, has been entirely replaced by the word bibi. Bibi is used by people of all ages, though older ones would recognize nyanya. People of middle-age and less would not even recognize the word nyanya in this sense (it also means tomato) and would think you were making a possibly offensive joke if you used it.

TO ADDRESS HER: Her children-in-law would call her Mama(Shikamoo,, Mama) All the grandchildren would address her as Bibi (Shikamoo, Bibi). Shikamoo is a shortened form of Nashika miguu yako (I clasp your feet), a special greeting of respect for all people older or of higher status than the speaker. However, few Swahili-speakers actually realize that's the basic meaning of the greeting.)

Answer 2

There are MANY languages spoken in Africa. There is not just one "African language."

Lots of languages are spoken in Africa, one major one is called Swahili, and the word for grandmother is 'nyanya.'

Answer 3

There are over 1500 languages spoken on the African continent. You would have to be more specific

Answer 4

the swahili word for grandmother is 'Nyanya'

Answer 5

An Mauritian African name for great grandmother is, ( meme )

Answer 6

Grandfather means Utatomkhulu in Xhosa.

Answer 7

grandmother = ugogo

Answer 8

Babu

Answer 9

Gogo

Answer 10

Nana