おばあちゃん子こ

Meanings

noun

child who loves their grandmother; grandma's child

Describes a child who is particularly attached to their grandmother, often preferring her company.

うちの娘むすめは完かん全ぜんにおばあちゃん子こで、週しゅう末まつはいつも祖そ母ぼの家いえに行いきたがる。
My daughter is a total grandma's child; she always wants to go to her grandmother's house on weekends.

noun

child doted on by their grandmother; grandmother's darling

Focuses on the grandmother's side: a child who receives special affection and pampering from their grandmother.

彼かれはおばあちゃん子こで、祖そ母ぼからいつもお小こ遣づかいをもらっている。
He's doted on by his grandmother and always gets pocket money from her.

See all 3 example sentences ›

Kanji

子child, sign of the rat, 11PM-1AM
婆old woman, grandma, wet nurse
祖ancestor, pioneer, founder
母mother

Related words

おじいちゃん子こ
Refers to a child attached to or doted on by their grandfather, parallel to おばあちゃん子.
マザコン
A more negative term for a mother complex or a child overly attached to their mother; おばあちゃん子 is neutral and affectionate.

Written forms

おばあちゃん子こ
Standard kana-kanji spelling; the most common written form.
お婆ばあちゃん子こ
Uses 婆 for 'grandmother'; less common but still seen.
お祖母ばあちゃん子こ
Uses 祖母 for 'grandmother'; very rare and somewhat formal for this colloquial word.

Etymology

Compound of おばあちゃん (grandmother) + 子 (child). The exact origin is uncertain, but it follows a common pattern for describing a child's special bond with a family member.