pappou

Pappou is the Greek term for grandfather, used as an affectionate form of address in Greek-speaking families and among the Greek diaspora. The standard Greek word is παππούς (pappoús), and in English writing it is commonly transliterated as pappou or papou, with pappous as the closely related transliteration.

Usage: Grandchildren typically call their grandfather pappou. The phrases o pappoú mou (my grandfather) and o pappoú sas (your grandfather) appear in everyday speech. In informal conversation, pappou can also function as a friendly nickname for an older man in a family context, even outside direct kinship.

Cultural role: In Greece and in Greek communities abroad, grandfathers are often associated with family history, storytelling, and the transmission of tradition. The term pappou is a marker of affection and kinship and appears in Greek literature, music, and media as a symbol of wisdom and continuity.

Variants and notes: Spelling and pronunciation vary by transliteration. The pronunciation approximates pah-POOS, with the emphasis on the second syllable. The word is used primarily within family contexts and is not a generic title in formal contexts.