ແມ່ເຖົ້າ
mae thao
The Lao word for grandma is ແມ່ເຖົ້າ (mae thao).
ແມ່ເຖົ້າ is used as an informal way to refer to a grandmother.
Meaning: grandmother (informal) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of ແມ່ (mae), meaning 'mother' and ເຖົ້າ (thao), meaning 'old'.
Which one should you use?
While ແມ່ເຖົ້າ is a general informal term for a grandmother, ຍ່າ (ya) is used specifically to refer to a paternal grandmother or one's father's mother.
How do you pronounce it?
mae thao
Did you know?
- Using ແມ່ເຖົ້າ to address a stranger who is much older than you is considered a sign of good breeding and politeness in Lao culture.
- The concept of 'grandmother' in Lao culture often carries a heavy weight of authority, as the eldest female in a household is frequently the primary decision-maker regarding family traditions.
- While ແມ່ເຖົ້າ is a warm term, using ເຖົ້າ alone to describe someone can be perceived as blunt or rude depending on the tone and context.
Examples in context
- ແມ່ເຖົ້າຂອງຂ້ອຍໃຈດີຫຼາຍ.mae thao khong khoy chai dee lai.My grandma is very kind.
Example conversation
A child is talking to their parent about visiting family.
- Aພວກເຮົາຈະໄປຫາແມ່ເຖົ້າບໍ່?phuak hao cha pai ha mae thao bo?Are we going to visit grandma?
- Bແມ່ນແລ້ວ, ພວກເຮົາຈະໄປມື້ນີ້.maen laew, phuak hao cha pai mue nee.Yes, we are going today.
- Aແມ່ເຖົ້າຈະເຮັດອາຫານໃຫ້ພວກເຮົາບໍ?mae thao cha het ah-han hai phuak hao bo?Will grandma cook food for us?
- Bຂ້ອຍເຊື່ອວ່າລາວຈະເຮັດ.khoy seua va lao cha het.I believe she will.
