also: じじ · じい · おおじ · おじ · そぶ
Standard term for one's own grandfather or someone else's grandfather. The reading そふ is neutral and formal; じじ and じい are informal and affectionate.
祖父は毎朝散歩をします。
My grandfather takes a walk every morning.
His grandfather was a famous painter.
Only with reading おおじ
Archaic use, restricted to the reading おおじ. Refers to an elderly man in general, not necessarily a relative. Cross-referenced with 爺.
See also: 爺
昔話では、おおじが村の知恵袋として描かれることがある。
In old tales, an old man is sometimes depicted as the village's source of wisdom.
kyogen mask for an old man role
Only with reading おおじ
Specialized term in Noh and kyogen theater, restricted to the reading おおじ. Refers to a mask used for the role of an elderly male character.
狂言では、おおじの面をつけて老人の役を演じる。
In kyogen, performers wear the old man mask to play the role of an elderly man.
His grandfather used to be a teacher.
During summer vacation, I went to visit my grandfather in the countryside.
My grandfather passed away last year.
祖父 is the neutral, formal term used to refer to one's own grandfather when speaking to others, whereas 爺さん is a casual, familiar word.
祖父 is the formal term used when referring to one's own grandfather in polite speech, whereas 爺 is an informal, familiar word for the same person.
maternal grandfather
grandfather-in-law
great-grandparents
Shortened informal form, similar to 'gramps'. Often used in compounds like じいちゃん.
Informal or affectionate term for one's own grandfather, often used by children.
Archaic reading used for 'old man' or a kyogen mask role.
Rare reading; easily confused with 伯父/叔父 (uncle).
Obsolete kana usage.