Let's think about the difference between uncles and grandfathers! / Japanese Learning Support LLC
What is the difference between uncle and grandfather?
I'm sure you're all familiar with the words "uncle" and "grandfather."
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between these two?
Today, I would like to talk about the difference between "ojisan" (uncle) and "jisan" (grandfather)!
Today's Menu
First, let's check the pronunciation!
2. Let's think about the difference in meaning!
① Uncle [ o ji sa n ]
②Grandfather [ o ji i sa n ]
The important thing is the "i" sound.
"Uncle" is made up of four sounds.
"Grandfather" is made up of five sounds.
Try pronouncing each sound carefully, as if you were tapping on a drum!
Yes! Everyone together!
Uncle [4]
Grandpa [5]
Now, were you able to pronounce each sound correctly?
So, let's take a look at the difference in meaning!
【uncle】
It generally refers to men between the ages of 40 and 60 .
However, this does not necessarily have to be between 40 and 60 years old.
What's important is the difference between the speaker's age and the man he is speaking to.
People under the age of 40 generally refer to people around the same age as their father as "ojisan" (uncles).
If the speaker was a young child, they might call a 30 year old man an "uncle."
If the speaker is an elderly person in their 80s, they might not call a 40-year-old man "uncle" but rather "older brother."
Also, be careful not to call a man who is obviously younger than you or a man who is about the same age as you "uncle," or to directly call someone "uncle!", as this is very rude.
Now let's take a look at some example sentences using "ojisan"!
Sample1 Yesterday, an old man dropped his wallet at the station, so I picked it up for him.
Sample2 This park is always clean because the man in the neighborhood waters the flowers in it.
Sample 3: I was on the train and was on the phone when an old man scolded me.
Sample 4: Yamada-san's uncle is a carpenter, right?
As you can see, "ojisan" is usually used for people whose names you don't know.
If you know the person's name, call them directly by their first name.
Also, even if you don't know the person's name, if they have a title such as "department manager," "teacher," or "store clerk," it is better to call them by that title.
for example,
"The sales manager at Saito Electric is apparently very good at his job, and is trusted by his subordinates."
"That teacher is the one who joined this year, right?"
"I went to a restaurant today and even though I had made a reservation, there were no seats available. The waiter was very apologetic and offered me a free drink."
As such, even if someone is old enough to be called "uncle," if they have a title or you know their name, calling them "uncle" can make what you are saying difficult to understand and may sound rude, so please be careful.
You can also use "ojisan" when talking about someone's relatives, as in Sample 4 above.
The male siblings of the other parent are called "uncles."
For example, your partner's father's older brother.
・Mr. Tanaka's uncle said he wasn't feeling well, is he okay?
When talking about your relatives, call them "uncle."
・My uncle's hobby is mountain climbing.
*When directly calling an uncle who is a relative, you don't use "oji."
× Uncle! Take me to Disneyland!
〇 (Name) Uncle! Take me to Disneyland!
[Grandfather]
Generally, an elderly man over the age of 70 is called "ojisan" (grandfather).
This age is just a guideline, so it doesn't necessarily have to be this age.
Sample1 Recently, when I went on a trip, a local old man told me about a place that sold delicious sake.
Sample 2: An old man fell off his bicycle, so I helped him up.
Sample 3 Every morning in a square in China, old men and women do energetic exercises.
Sample4 I heard your grandfather climbed Mt. Fuji this year! That's amazing!
"Grandpa" is the same as "uncle," and is usually used with someone whose name you don't know.
If you know the person's name, make sure to call them by their name!
You can also invite the other person's relatives, as in Sample 4.
"Grandpa" refers to the father of the other person's parents .
・I heard your grandfather ran in a marathon! How did it go?
When talking about your grandfather, it's good to use "grandfather."
・After my grandfather retired, he enjoys playing shogi with his neighbors every day.
*I think most people would use "Grandpa" instead of "Souji" when speaking directly to their grandfather.
× Grandpa, where are you going tomorrow?
〇 Grandpa, where are you going tomorrow?
What did you think? Today, we introduced the difference between "ojisan" (uncle) and "ojisan" (grandfather).
The pronunciation is similar, but if you get it wrong the meaning changes, so make sure you follow the rhythm of the drums and pronounce the words clearly!
I also wrote about the difference between "Obasan" and "Obaasan" in a previous blog, so if you are interested, please take a look at that too.
That's all for today!
See you in the next blog!
