Omi

Usage notes

• The word is commonly used with a definite article in most parts of central Germany, southern Germany, and Austria: Wo ist die Omi? – “Where is Grandma?” In northern Germany—and generally in writing—no article tends to be used: Wo ist Omi?
• The genitive Omis is used before the modified term, without any article or determiner: Omis Tasche – “Grandma’s bag”. This is chiefly northern German usage; the rest of the language prefers: die Tasche von der Omi (as above). — With an accompanying article or determiner, the genitive takes no ending: die Tasche meiner Omi – “my grandma’s bag”. This, however, is not common usage in any region; children will say instead: die Tasche von meiner Omi.