баба

See also: Appendix:Variations of "baba"

Avar

Alternative forms

• буба (buba) — Antsrosu, Bukhnada, Mukratl, Tash, Tlesserukh, Zakatala
• бабу (babu) — Tomur, Upper Karakh
• бава (bawa) — Gimry

Etymology

From Proto-Avaro-Andian *bab.

Noun

баба • (baba) class 2 (ergative бабаца, genitive бабал)

1. mother; mom, mum

   Synonym: эбел (ebel)

Belarusian

Etymology

From Proto-Slavic *baba.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈbaba]

Noun

ба́ба • (bába) f pers (genitive ба́бы, nominative plural ба́бы, genitive plural баб)

1. grandmother, granny, old woman
2. (historical) (any) woman; countrywoman

   не ме́ла ба́ба кло́пату (дык) купі́ла ба́ба парася́ ― nje mjéla bába klópatu (dyk) kupíla bába parasjá ― the woman had no trouble but the woman has bought a piglet

3. (colloquial, slang, derogatory) woman, female, broad

Declension

Declension of ба́ба (pr hard fem-form accent-a)

	singular	plural
nominative	ба́ба bába	ба́бы báby
genitive	ба́бы báby	баб bab
dative	ба́бе bábje	ба́бам bábam
accusative	ба́бу bábu	баб bab
instrumental	ба́бай, ба́баю bábaj, bábaju	ба́бамі bábami
locative	ба́бе bábje	ба́бах bábax
count form	—	ба́бы1 báby1

¹Used with the numbers 2, 3, 4 and higher numbers after 20 ending in 2, 3, and 4.

Noun

ба́ба • (bába) f inan (genitive ба́бы, nominative plural ба́бы, genitive plural баб)

1. pile block

Declension

Declension of ба́ба (inan hard fem-form accent-a)

	singular	plural
nominative	ба́ба bába	ба́бы báby
genitive	ба́бы báby	баб bab
dative	ба́бе bábje	ба́бам bábam
accusative	ба́бу bábu	ба́бы báby
instrumental	ба́бай, ба́баю bábaj, bábaju	ба́бамі bábami
locative	ба́бе bábje	ба́бах bábax
count form	—	ба́бы1 báby1

¹Used with the numbers 2, 3, 4 and higher numbers after 20 ending in 2, 3, and 4.

References

• “баба” in Belarusian–Russian dictionaries and Belarusian dictionaries at slounik.org

Bulgarian

Etymology

From Proto-Slavic *baba.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈbabɐ]

• Audio (Standard Bulgarian):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -abɐ
• Hyphenation^(key): ба‧ба

Noun

ба́ба • (bába) f

1. grandmother, grandma, granny, gran
2. old woman, goody, granny
3. mother-in-law (one’s wife’s mother)
4. midwife, wise woman
5. wise woman, sorceress, witch
6. woman, weakling, milksop, mollycoddle, molly, old maid
7. monkey

Declension

Declension of ба́ба

	singular	plural
indefinite	ба́ба bába	ба́би bábi
definite	ба́бата bábata	ба́бите bábite
vocative form	ба́бо bábo	ба́би bábi
dative form	ба́би bábi	—

References

• “баба”, in Речник на българския език [Dictionary of the Bulgarian Language] (in Bulgarian), Sofia: Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2014
• “баба”, in Речник на българския език [Dictionary of the Bulgarian Language] (in Bulgarian), Chitanka, 2010

Hunzib

Noun

баба • (baba)

1. bread

Kazakh

Alternative scripts

Arabic	بابا
Cyrillic	баба
Latin	baba

Noun

баба • (baba)

1. ancestor

Declension

Declension of баба

	singular	plural
nominative	баба (baba)	бабалар (babalar)
genitive	бабаның (babanyñ)	бабалардың (babalardyñ)
dative	бабаға (babağa)	бабаларға (babalarğa)
accusative	бабаны (babany)	бабаларды (babalardy)
locative	бабада (babada)	бабаларда (babalarda)
ablative	бабадан (babadan)	бабалардан (babalardan)
instrumental	бабамен (babamen)	бабалармен (babalarmen)
similative	{{{15}}}	{{{16}}}

Khinalug

Noun

баба (baba)

1. bread

Komi-Zyrian

Etymology

Borrowed from Russian баба (baba). Doublet of баб (bab).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbaba/, [ˈbäbä]
• Rhymes: -aba
• Hyphenation: ба‧ба

Noun

баба • (baba)

1. old woman
2. wife, wifey

Declension

Declension of баба (stem: баба-)

		singular	plural
nominative		баба (baba)	бабаяс (babajas)
accusative	I 1	баба (baba)	бабаяс (babajas)
	II 1	бабаӧс (babaös)	бабаясӧс (babajasös)
instrumental		бабаӧн (babaön)	бабаясӧн (babajasön)
comitative		бабакӧд (babaköd)	бабаяскӧд (babajasköd)
caritive		бабатӧг (babatög)	бабаястӧг (babajastög)
consecutive		бабала (babala)	бабаясла (babajasla)
genitive		бабалӧн (babalön)	бабаяслӧн (babajaslön)
ablative		бабалысь (babalyś)	бабаяслысь (babajaslyś)
dative		бабалы (babaly)	бабаяслы (babajasly)
inessive		бабаын (babayn)	бабаясын (babajasyn)
elative		бабаысь (babayś)	бабаясысь (babajasyś)
illative		бабаӧ (babaö)	бабаясӧ (babajasö)
egressive		бабасянь (babaśań)	бабаяссянь (babajasśań)
approximative		бабалань (babalań)	бабаяслань (babajaslań)
terminative		бабаӧдз (babaödź)	бабаясӧдз (babajasödź)
prolative	I	бабаӧд (babaöd)	бабаясӧд (babajasöd)
	II	бабаті (babati)	бабаясті (babajasti)

¹ Animate nouns almost exclusively take the type II accusative ending, whereas inanimate nouns can be used with either ending, but are more often found with type I.

Possessive declension of баба

First person singular singular plural nominative бабаӧй (babaöj) бабаясӧй (babajasöj) accusative I 1 бабаӧй (babaöj) бабаясӧй (babajasöj) II 1 бабаӧс (babaös) бабаясӧс (babajasös) instrumental бабанам (babanam) бабаяснам (babajasnam) comitative бабаӧйкӧд (babaöjköd) бабаясӧйкӧд (babajasöjköd) caritive бабатӧгым (babatögym) бабаястӧгым (babajastögym) consecutive бабаӧйла (babaöjla) бабаясӧйла (babajasöjla) genitive бабаӧйлӧн (babaöjlön) бабаясӧйлӧн (babajasöjlön) ablative бабаӧйлысь (babaöjlyś) бабаясӧйлысь (babajasöjlyś) dative бабаӧйлы (babaöjly) бабаясӧйлы (babajasöjly) inessive бабаам (babaam) бабаясам (babajasam) elative бабасьым (babaśym) бабаяссьым (babajasśym) illative бабаам (babaam) бабаясам (babajasam) egressive бабасяньым (babaśańym) бабаяссяньым (babajasśańym) approximative бабаланьым (babalańym) бабаясланьым (babajaslańym) terminative бабаӧдзым (babaödźym) бабаясӧдзым (babajasödźym) prolative I бабаӧдым (babaödym) бабаясӧдым (babajasödym) II бабатіым (babatiym) бабаястіым (babajastiym) 1 Animate nouns almost exclusively take the type II accusative ending, whereas inanimate nouns can be used with either ending, but are more often found with type I. Second person singular singular plural nominative бабаыд (babayd) бабаясыд (babajasyd) accusative I 1 бабаыд (babayd) бабаясыд (babajasyd) II 1 бабатӧ (babatö) бабаястӧ (babajastö) instrumental бабанад (babanad) бабаяснад (babajasnad) comitative бабаыдкӧд (babaydköd) бабаясыдкӧд (babajasydköd) caritive бабатӧгыд (babatögyd) бабаястӧгыд (babajastögyd) consecutive бабаыдла (babaydla) бабаясыдла (babajasydla) genitive бабаыдлӧн (babaydlön) бабаясыдлӧн (babajasydlön) ablative бабаыдлысь (babaydlyś) бабаясыдлысь (babajasydlyś) dative бабаыдлы (babaydly) бабаясыдлы (babajasydly) inessive бабаад (babaad) бабаясад (babajasad) elative бабасьыд (babaśyd) бабаяссьыд (babajasśyd) illative бабаад (babaad) бабаясад (babajasad) egressive бабасяньыд (babaśańyd) бабаяссяньыд (babajasśańyd) approximative бабаланьыд (babalańyd) бабаясланьыд (babajaslańyd) terminative бабаӧдзыд (babaödźyd) бабаясӧдзыд (babajasödźyd) prolative I бабаӧдыд (babaödyd) бабаясӧдыд (babajasödyd) II бабатіыд (babatiyd) бабаястіыд (babajastiyd) 1 Animate nouns almost exclusively take the type II accusative ending, whereas inanimate nouns can be used with either ending, but are more often found with type I. Third person singular singular plural nominative бабаыс (babays) бабаясыс (babajasys) accusative I 1 бабаыс (babays) бабаясыс (babajasys) II 1 бабасӧ (babasö) бабаяссӧ (babajassö) instrumental бабанас (babanas) бабаяснас (babajasnas) comitative бабаыскӧд (babaysköd) бабаясыскӧд (babajasysköd) caritive бабатӧгыс (babatögys) бабаястӧгыс (babajastögys) consecutive бабаысла (babaysla) бабаясысла (babajasysla) genitive бабаыслӧн (babayslön) бабаясыслӧн (babajasyslön) ablative бабаыслысь (babayslyś) бабаясыслысь (babajasyslyś) dative бабаыслы (babaysly) бабаясыслы (babajasysly) inessive бабаас (babaas) бабаясас (babajasas) elative бабасьыс (babaśys) бабаяссьыс (babajasśys) illative бабаас (babaas) бабаясас (babajasas) egressive бабасяньыс (babaśańys) бабаяссяньыс (babajasśańys) approximative бабаланьыс (babalańys) бабаясланьыс (babajaslańys) terminative бабаӧдзыс (babaödźys) бабаясӧдзыс (babajasödźys) prolative I бабаӧдыс (babaödys) бабаясӧдыс (babajasödys) II бабатіыс (babatiys) бабаястіыс (babajastiys) 1 Animate nouns almost exclusively take the type II accusative ending, whereas inanimate nouns can be used with either ending, but are more often found with type I. First person plural singular plural nominative бабаным (babanym) бабаясным (babajasnym) accusative I 1 бабаным (babanym) бабаясным (babajasnym) II 1 бабанымӧ (babanymö) бабаяснымӧ (babajasnymö) instrumental бабананым (babananym) бабаяснаным (babajasnanym) comitative бабанымкӧд (babanymköd) бабаяснымкӧд (babajasnymköd) caritive бабатӧгным (babatögnym) бабаястӧгным (babajastögnym) consecutive бабанымла (babanymla) бабаяснымла (babajasnymla) genitive бабанымлӧн (babanymlön) бабаяснымлӧн (babajasnymlön) ablative бабанымлысь (babanymlyś) бабаяснымлысь (babajasnymlyś) dative бабанымлы (babanymly) бабаяснымлы (babajasnymly) inessive бабааным (babaanym) бабаясаным (babajasanym) elative бабасьыным (babaśynym) бабаяссьыным (babajasśynym) illative бабааным (babaanym) бабаясаным (babajasanym) egressive бабасяньным (babaśańnym) бабаяссяньным (babajasśańnym) approximative бабаланьным (babalańnym) бабаясланьным (babajaslańnym) terminative бабаӧдзным (babaödźnym) бабаясӧдзным (babajasödźnym) prolative I бабаӧдным (babaödnym) бабаясӧдным (babajasödnym) II бабатіным (babatinym) бабаястіным (babajastinym) 1 Animate nouns almost exclusively take the type II accusative ending, whereas inanimate nouns can be used with either ending, but are more often found with type I. Second person plural singular plural nominative бабаныд (babanyd) бабаясныд (babajasnyd) accusative I 1 бабаныд (babanyd) бабаясныд (babajasnyd) II 1 бабанытӧ (babanytö) бабаяснытӧ (babajasnytö) instrumental бабананыд (babananyd) бабаяснаныд (babajasnanyd) comitative бабаныдкӧд (babanydköd) бабаясныдкӧд (babajasnydköd) caritive бабатӧгныд (babatögnyd) бабаястӧгныд (babajastögnyd) consecutive бабаныдла (babanydla) бабаясныдла (babajasnydla) genitive бабаныдлӧн (babanydlön) бабаясныдлӧн (babajasnydlön) ablative бабаныдлысь (babanydlyś) бабаясныдлысь (babajasnydlyś) dative бабаныдлы (babanydly) бабаясныдлы (babajasnydly) inessive бабааныд (babaanyd) бабаясаныд (babajasanyd) elative бабасьыныд (babaśynyd) бабаяссьыныд (babajasśynyd) illative бабааныд (babaanyd) бабаясаныд (babajasanyd) egressive бабасяньныд (babaśańnyd) бабаяссяньныд (babajasśańnyd) approximative бабаланьныд (babalańnyd) бабаясланьныд (babajaslańnyd) terminative бабаӧдзныд (babaödźnyd) бабаясӧдзныд (babajasödźnyd) prolative I бабаӧдныд (babaödnyd) бабаясӧдныд (babajasödnyd) II бабатіныд (babatinyd) бабаястіныд (babajastinyd) 1 Animate nouns almost exclusively take the type II accusative ending, whereas inanimate nouns can be used with either ending, but are more often found with type I. Third person plural singular plural nominative бабаныс (babanys) бабаясныс (babajasnys) accusative I 1 бабаныс (babanys) бабаясныс (babajasnys) II 1 бабанысӧ (babanysö) бабаяснысӧ (babajasnysö) instrumental бабананыс (babananys) бабаяснаныс (babajasnanys) comitative бабанымкӧс (babanymkös) бабаяснымкӧс (babajasnymkös) caritive бабатӧгныс (babatögnys) бабаястӧгныс (babajastögnys) consecutive бабанысла (babanysla) бабаяснысла (babajasnysla) genitive бабаныслӧн (babanyslön) бабаясныслӧн (babajasnyslön) ablative бабаныслысь (babanyslyś) бабаясныслысь (babajasnyslyś) dative бабаныслы (babanysly) бабаясныслы (babajasnysly) inessive бабааныс (babaanys) бабаясаныс (babajasanys) elative бабасьыныс (babaśynys) бабаяссьыныс (babajasśynys) illative бабааныс (babaanys) бабаясаныс (babajasanys) egressive бабасяньныс (babaśańnys) бабаяссяньныс (babajasśańnys) approximative бабаланьныс (babalańnys) бабаясланьныс (babajaslańnys) terminative бабаӧдзныс (babaödźnys) бабаясӧдзныс (babajasödźnys) prolative I бабаӧдныс (babaödnys) бабаясӧдныс (babajasödnys) II бабатіныс (babatinys) бабаястіныс (babajastinys) 1 Animate nouns almost exclusively take the type II accusative ending, whereas inanimate nouns can be used with either ending, but are more often found with type I.

Derived terms

• нывбаба (nyvbaba)

References

• Bubrikh, Dmitry V. (1949), Грамматика литературного коми языка [Grammar of the literary Komi language] (in Russian), Leningrad: Zhdanov Leningrad State University, page 37
• L. M. Beznosikova; E. A. Ajbabina; R. I. Kosnyreva (2000), Коми-русский словарь [Komi-Russian dictionary], →ISBN, page 31

Macedonian

Etymology 1

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *baba.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈbaba]

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: ба‧ба

Noun

баба • (baba) f (plural баби, relational adjective бабин or бапски, diminutive бабичка or бабиче or бабуле, augmentative бабиште or бабетина)

1. grandmother, grandma, granny, gran
2. old woman, goody, granny
3. mother-in-law (one’s wife’s mother)
4. midwife
5. (in the singular) the last three days of March
6. (historical) (any) woman; countrywoman
7. (derogatory) milksop, weakling, old woman (weak man)

Declension

Declension of баба

	singular	plural
indefinite	баба (baba)	баби (babi)
definite unspecified	бабата (babata)	бабите (babite)
definite proximal	бабава (babava)	бабиве (babive)
definite distal	бабана (babana)	бабине (babine)
vocative	бабо (babo)	баби (babi)

References

• “баба” in Дигитален речник на македонскиот јазик (Digitalen rečnik na makedonskiot jazik) [Digital dictionary of the Macedonian language] − drmj.eu

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish بابا (baba) (Turkish baba).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈbaba]

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: ба‧ба

Noun

баба • (baba) m (uncountable)

1. father, dad (used by Muslim Macedonians)

   Synonym: татко (tatko)

Declension

Declension of баба

	singular
indefinite	баба (baba)
definite unspecified	—
definite proximal	—
definite distal	—
vocative	бабо (babo)

References

• “баба” in Дигитален речник на македонскиот јазик (Digitalen rečnik na makedonskiot jazik) [Digital dictionary of the Macedonian language] − drmj.eu

Moksha

Etymology

Ultimately from nursery language.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈba.ba/

Noun

баба • (baba)

1. paternal grandmother

Declension

Declension of баба (baba)

case	singular	plural
nominative (...)	баба (baba)	бабат (babat)
genitive (of ...)	бабань (babań)
dative (to ...)	бабанди (babandi)
comparative (like ...)	бабашка (babaška)
ablative (than ...)	бабада (babada)
lative (into ...)	бабав (babav)
illative (into ...)	бабас (babas)
inessive (in ...)	бабаса (babasa)
elative (out of ...)	бабаста (babasta)
prolative (through ...)	бабава (babava)
causative (for ...)	бабанкса (babanksa)
translative (becoming ...)	бабакс (babaks)
abessive (without ...)	бабафтома (babaftoma)

Definite declension of баба (baba)

case	singular	plural
nominative (...)	бабась (babaś)	бабатне (babatne)
genitive (of ...)	бабать (babať)	бабатнень (babatneń)
dative (to ...)	бабати (babati)	бабатненди (babatnendi)

Old Church Slavonic

Alternative forms

• (Glagolitic): ⰱⰰⰱⰰ (baba)

Etymology

From Proto-Slavic *baba.

Noun

баба • (baba) f

1. grandmother
2. midwife
3. wet nurse

Declension

Declension of баба (hard a-stem)

	singular	dual	plural
nominative	баба baba	бабѣ babě	бабꙑ baby
genitive	бабꙑ baby	бабоу babu	бабъ babŭ
dative	бабѣ babě	бабама babama	бабамъ babamŭ
accusative	бабѫ babǫ	бабѣ babě	бабꙑ baby
instrumental	бабоѭ babojǫ	бабама babama	бабами babami
locative	бабѣ babě	бабоу babu	бабахъ babaxŭ
vocative	бабо babo	бабѣ babě	бабꙑ baby

See also

Old Church Slavic family terms

отьчьство (otĭčĭstvo, “family”)	Male	Female
parent родител҄ь (roditelʹĭ)	отьць (otĭcĭ), авва (avva, “father”)	мати (mati, “mother”)
sibling	братръ (bratrŭ, “brother”)	сестра (sestra, “sister”)
child	сꙑнъ (synŭ, “son”)	дъщи (dŭšti, “daughter”)
grandparent	дѣдъ (dědŭ, “grandfather”)	баба (baba, “grandmother”)
grandchild	въноукъ (vŭnukŭ, “grandson”)	– (“granddaughter”)
great-grandparent	прѣдѣдъ (prědědŭ, “great-grandfather”)	– (“great-grandmother”)
mother's sibling	оуи (ui, “maternal uncle”)	– (“maternal aunt”)
father's sibling	стрꙑи (stryi, “paternal uncle”)	– (“paternal aunt”)
sibling's child	братанъ (bratanŭ), сꙑновь (synovĭ), сꙑновьць (synovĭcĭ, “nephew”)	братана (bratana, “niece”)
cousin	братоучѧдъ (bratučędŭ, “male cousin”)	братоучѧда (bratučęda, “female cousin”)
spouse	мѫжь (mǫžĭ), чрьтожьникъ (črĭtožĭnikŭ), малъженъ (malŭženŭ, “husband”)	жена (žena), чрьтожьница (črĭtožĭnica), съложь (sŭložĭ, “wife”)
parent of wife	тьсть (tĭstĭ, “father-in-law (wife's father)”)	тьща (tĭšta, “mother-in-law (wife's mother)”)
parent of husband	свекръ (svekrŭ, “father-in-law (husband's father)”)	свекрꙑ (svekry, “mother-in-law (husband's father)”)
sibling of husband	дєвєръ (deverŭ, “brother-in-law (husband's brother)”)	зълꙑ (zŭly, “sister-in-law (husband's sister)”)
spouse of child	зѧть (zętĭ, “son-in-law (daughter's husband)”)	снъха (snŭxa, “daughter-in-law (son's wife)”)
spouse of husband's brother	–	етрꙑ (etry), кѫпетра (kǫpetra, “sister-in-law (husband's brother's wife)”)
stepchild	пасторъкъ (pastorŭkŭ, “stepson”)	– (“stepdaughter”)
step-parent	отьчимъ (otĭčimŭ, “stepfather”)	мащеха (maštexa, “stepmother”)

Old East Slavic

Etymology

From Proto-Slavic *baba.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɑbɑ/→/ˈbaba/→/ˈbaba/

• (ca. 9^th CE) IPA^(key): /ˈbɑbɑ/
• (ca. 11^th CE) IPA^(key): /ˈbaba/
• (ca. 13^th CE) IPA^(key): /ˈbaba/

Noun

баба (baba) f

1. married woman
2. midwife
3. fortune teller, hex
4. (in the plural) women

Declension

Declension of баба (hard a-stem)

	singular	dual	plural
nominative	баба baba	бабѣ babě	бабꙑ baby
genitive	бабꙑ baby	бабу babu	бабъ babŭ
dative	бабѣ babě	бабама babama	бабамъ babamŭ
accusative	бабѫ babǫ	бабѣ babě	бабꙑ baby
instrumental	бабоѭ babojǫ	бабама babama	бабами babami
locative	бабѣ babě	бабу babu	бабахъ babaxŭ
vocative	бабо babo	бабѣ babě	бабꙑ baby

Descendants

• Russian: ба́ба (bába)
• Ukrainian: ба́ба (bába)

References

• Sreznevsky, Izmail I. (1893), “баба”, in Матеріалы для Словаря древне-русскаго языка по письменнымъ памятникамъ [Materials for the Dictionary of the Old East Slavic Language Based on Written Monuments]‎^[1] (in Russian), volume 1 (А – К), Saint Petersburg: Department of Russian Language and Literature of the Imperial Academy of Sciences, column 35

Pannonian Rusyn

Etymology

Inherited from Old Slovak baba, from Proto-Slavic *baba.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈbaba]
• Rhymes: -aba
• Hyphenation: ба‧ба

Noun

баба (baba) f (diminutive бабочка, augmentative бабиска, relational adjective бабов or бабовски)

1. grandmother

   Synonym: стара мац (stara mac, literally “old mother”)

   Coordinate term: дїдо (djido)

2. old woman
3. This term needs a translation to English. Please help out and add a translation, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.

Declension

Declension of баба (baba)

	singular	plural
nominative	баба (baba)	баби (babi)
genitive	баби (babi)	бабох (babox)
dative	баби (babi)	бабом (babom)
accusative	бабу (babu)	баби (babi)
instrumental	бабу (babu)	бабами (babami)
locative	баби (babi)	бабох (babox)
vocative	бабо (babo)	баби (babi)

Related terms

nouns

• бабица f (babica)
• бабка f (babka)

References

• Medʹeši, H.; Fejsa, M.; Timko-Djitko, O. (2010), “баба”, in Ramač, Ju., editor, Руско-сербски словнїк [Rusyn-Serbian Dictionary] (in Pannonian Rusyn), Novi Sad: Faculty of Philosophy
• Fejsa, M.; Šlemender, M.; Čelʹovski, S. (2022), “grandmother”, in Анґлийско-руски словнїк [English-Rusyn Dictionary] (in Pannonian Rusyn), Novi Sad: Faculty of Philosophy; Ruska matka, →ISBN, page 128

Russian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *baba.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈbabə]

• Audio:

  (file)

• Audio (Saint Petersburg):

  (file)

Noun

ба́ба • (bába) f anim or f inan (genitive ба́бы, nominative plural ба́бы, genitive plural баб, relational adjective ба́бий or ба́бский, possessive adjective ба́бин, diminutive бабёнка or бабе́ц or бабе́нция, augmentative ба́бища or баби́ща, pejorative ба́бка or бабёшка, pejorative collective бабьё)

1. (childish) grandma, granny (short for ба́бушка (bábuška))

   Ма́ма, а где ба́ба? ― Máma, a gde bába? ― Mom, where’s grandma?

2. (informal or archaic) old woman (short for ба́бушка (bábuška))

   Жи́ли-бы́ли дед да ба́ба. ― Žíli-býli ded da bába. ― There once lived an old man and his old woman.

3. (historical) (any) woman; countrywoman
4. (colloquial, slang, derogatory) woman, female, broad; countrywoman

   Кто э́та ба́ба? ― Kto éta bába? ― Who's that broad?

   Все ба́бы — ду́ры; все мужики́ — сво́лочи (contemporary Russian saying)

   Vse báby — dúry; vse mužikí — svóloči

   "all women are idiots; all men are bastards"

5. (obsolete) peasant’s wife, peasant woman
6. (derogatory) milksop, old woman (weak man)
7. (technical) ram (of a pile driver)
8. (technical) drop weight
9. (cooking) baba (tall, cylindrical cake), bundt cake, Gugelhupf

   ро́мовая ба́ба ― rómovaja bába ― rum baba, rum cake

10. in expressions

    сне́жная ба́ба ― snéžnaja bába ― snowman

    ка́менная ба́ба ― kámennaja bába ― primitive stone statue

Declension

Declension of ба́ба (bian fem-form hard-stem accent-a) 

		singular	plural
nominative		ба́ба bába	ба́бы báby
genitive		ба́бы báby	ба́б báb
dative		ба́бе bábe	ба́бам bábam
accusative	animate	ба́бу bábu	ба́б báb
	inanimate		ба́бы báby
instrumental		ба́бой, ба́бою báboj, báboju	ба́бами bábami
prepositional		ба́бе bábe	ба́бах bábax
vocative		ба́б báb

Pre-reform declension of ба́ба (bian fem-form hard-stem accent-a) 

		singular	plural
nominative		ба́ба bába	ба́бы báby
genitive		ба́бы báby	ба́бъ báb
dative		ба́бѣ bábě	ба́бамъ bábam
accusative	animate	ба́бу bábu	ба́бъ báb
	inanimate		ба́бы báby
instrumental		ба́бой, ба́бою báboj, báboju	ба́бами bábami
prepositional		ба́бѣ bábě	ба́бахъ bábax

Derived terms

• Expressives: бабе́ц m anim (babéc), бабе́нция f anim (babéncija)
• оба́биться pf (obábitʹsja)

Proverbs

• ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ле ле́гче (bába s vózu — kobýle léxče)
• ба́ба ска́чет то за́дом, то пе́редом, а дела́ иду́т свои́м че́редом (bába skáčet to zádom, to péredom, a delá idút svoím čéredom)

Related terms

• ба́бушка (bábuška), ба́бка (bábka)
• Ба́ба-Яга́ (Bába-Jagá), Ба́бий Яр (Bábij Jar)
• бабу́ся (babúsja), бабу́ля (babúlja), ба́бка (bábka), ба́бник (bábnik), ба́бство (bábstvo)
• ба́бки (bábki), бабло́ (babló), бабло́сы (bablósy), бабо́сы (babósy)

Descendants

• → Ingrian: baaba
• → Komi-Zyrian: баб (bab), баба (baba)

Further reading

• Dal, Vladimir (1880–1882), “баба”, in Толковый Словарь живаго великорускаго языка [Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language] (in Russian), 2nd edition, Publication of the bookseller-typographer Wolf, M. O.

Serbo-Croatian

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Slavic *baba.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bâba/
• Hyphenation: ба‧ба

Noun

ба̏ба f (Latin spelling bȁba)

1. grandmother

   Да је (моја) баба мушко, звала би се Душко. ― If my grandmother were a man, her name would be Duško. (a rhyming expression about impossible conditions)

2. (usually derogatory) old woman, hag
3. (derogatory) female person

Declension

Declension of баба

	singular	plural
nominative	ба̏ба	бабе
genitive	бабе	ба̑ба̄
dative	баби	бабама
accusative	бабу	бабе
vocative	бабо	бабе
locative	баби	бабама
instrumental	бабом	бабама

Synonyms

• (grandmother; grandma): ба́ка, нена

References

• “баба”, in Hrvatski jezični portal [Croatian language portal] (in Serbo-Croatian), 2006–2025

Southern Altai

Etymology

From Proto-Turkic.

Noun

баба • (baba)

1. ancestor
2. father

Declension

Inflection of баба

	singular	plural
absolute	баба (baba)	бабалар (babalar)
definite genitive	бабаныҥ (babanïŋ)	бабалардыҥ (babalardïŋ)
dative	бабага (babaga)	бабаларга (babalarga)
definite accusative	бабаны (babanï)	бабаларды (babalardï)
locative	бабада (babada)	бабаларда (babalarda)
ablative	бабадаҥ (babadaŋ)	бабалардаҥ (babalardaŋ)

References

• Comparative and historical grammar of Turkic languages. Lexicon, 2001, in Russian, 654 pages.

Udi

Alternative forms

• бава (bava) — Nij

Etymology

For the development of в (v) in the Nij dialect see абазакӏ (abazaḳ).

Noun

баба • (baba) (Vartashen)

1. father

References

• Gukasjan, Vorošil (1974), “баба”, in Удинско-азербайджанско-русский словарь [Udi–Azerbaijani–Russian Dictionary]‎^[2], Baku: Academy Press, page 65

Ukrainian

Etymology

From Proto-Slavic *baba.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈbabɐ]

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

ба́ба • (bába) f pers (genitive ба́би, nominative plural баби́, genitive plural баб or бабі́в, relational adjective ба́бський or ба́б'ячий, diminutive бабу́ся, augmentative баби́ще or бабе́ра)

1. grandmother, granny, old woman (in some cases maternal grandmother only)
2. a fortune teller or witch, practising the art of віск зливати (visk zlyvaty, “wax pouring”)
3. (historical) (any) woman; countrywoman

   не ма́ла ба́ба кло́поту та купи́ла ба́ба порося́ ― ne mála bába klópotu ta kupýla bába porosjá ― the woman had no trouble but the woman has bought a piglet

4. (colloquial, slang, derogatory) woman, female, broad

Declension

Declension of ба́ба
(pers hard fem-form accent-c)

	singular	plural
nominative	ба́ба bába	баби́ babý
genitive	ба́би báby	баб, бабі́в bab, babív
dative	ба́бі bábi	баба́м babám
accusative	ба́бу bábu	баб, бабі́в bab, babív
instrumental	ба́бою báboju	баба́ми babámy
locative	ба́бі bábi	баба́х babáx
vocative	ба́бо bábo	баби́ babý

See also

• бабе́ра f pers (babéra)
• бабу́ся f pers (babúsja)

Noun

ба́ба • (bába) f inan (genitive ба́би, nominative plural баби́, genitive plural баб)

1. baba, babka (a special, delicate ritual bread that is blessed by a priest at Easter)

   Synonym: ба́бка (bábka)

2. baba (a name given to сніп (snip) at Christmas, a sheaf of grain (wheat or rye), brought into the home for Christmas Eve supper свята́ вече́ря (svjatá večérja), placed in a corner of the room and later fed to livestock or cattle)

Declension

Declension of ба́ба
(inan hard fem-form accent-c)

	singular	plural
nominative	ба́ба bába	баби́ babý
genitive	ба́би báby	баб bab
dative	ба́бі bábi	баба́м babám
accusative	ба́бу bábu	баби́ babý
instrumental	ба́бою báboju	баба́ми babámy
locative	ба́бі bábi	баба́х babáx
vocative	ба́бо bábo	баби́ babý

Further reading

• Bilodid, I. K., editor (1970–1980), “баба”, in Словник української мови: в 11 т. [Dictionary of the Ukrainian Language: in 11 vols] (in Ukrainian), Kyiv: Naukova Dumka
• Shyrokov, V. A., editor (2010–2025), “баба”, in Словник української мови: у 20 т. [Dictionary of the Ukrainian Language: in 20 vols] (in Ukrainian), volumes 1–15 (а – п'ять), Kyiv: Naukova Dumka; Ukrainian Lingua-Information Fund, →ISBN
• “баба”, in Горох – Словозміна [Horokh – Inflection] (in Ukrainian)

Urum

Noun

баба • (baba)

1. father