also: じじ · じい · おおじ · おじ · そぶ
noun
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.
彼の祖父は有名な画家だった。
His grandfather was a famous painter.
noun
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.
noun
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.
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.
Compound of 祖 (ancestor) and 父 (father). The reading そふ is the standard Sino-Japanese on'yomi. Informal readings じじ and じい are native Japanese kun'yomi-derived terms of endearment.