abuela

grandmother

noun ah-BWEH-lah Rare

Origin: From Latin 'avia'.

Usage Note

Abuela refers to a grandmother. The expression cuéntaselo a tu abuela ('tell it to your grandmother') is the Spanish equivalent of 'tell it to someone who'll believe you' — a dismissive retort for unlikely stories. The colloquial no tener abuela (literally 'to have no grandmother') describes someone who praises themselves shamelessly.

Examples

"Mi abuela hace el mejor caldo del mundo."

Natural Translation

My grandmother makes the best broth in the world.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Spanish Reflexive Verbs: Me, Te, Se Made Clear

Spanish reflexive verbs use me, te, se for actions you do to yourself. Master the daily-routine pattern, pronoun placement, and shifts like dormir vs dormirse.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spain vs Latin American Spanish: Key Differences

Spain and Latin American Spanish are fully mutually intelligible. Compare vosotros vs ustedes, coche vs carro, the 'th' sound, and learn which one to study.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Tell Time in Spanish: A Beginner's Guide

Tell time in Spanish with one formula: es la una vs son las, y and menos for minutes, plus de la mañana, en punto, and 24-hour station times.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

How to Roll Your Rs in Spanish (Even If You Can't Yet)

Roll your Rs in Spanish by building from the butter sound you already make, then adding airflow. A step-by-step method, minimal pairs, and self-check drills.

June 3, 2026 7 min read