What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
babushka
Example
My babushka always tells the best stories from her childhood. [babushka: noun]
Example
She wore a colorful babushka on her head to keep warm in the cold weather. [babushka: noun]
grandmother
Example
I love spending time with my grandmother. [grandmother: noun]
Example
My grandmother taught me how to bake cookies. [grandmother: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grandmother is more commonly used than babushka in everyday English language. Grandmother is a widely recognized term that can be understood by people from different cultural backgrounds. Babushka, being a loanword from Russian, is less common and may be used in specific cultural contexts or among people familiar with Russian culture.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between babushka and grandmother?
While babushka is more informal and specific to certain cultural contexts, grandmother is a versatile term that can be used in both formal and informal situations. Grandmother is more commonly used in everyday conversations and is considered more neutral in terms of formality.
