bà ngoại
maternal grandmother
Your mother's mother is bà ngoại in Vietnamese. Many children simply call her ngoại. It is also called bà.
Meaning: maternal grandmother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | Note |
|---|---|
| bà ngoại | maternal grandmother |
| ngoại | short, affectionate |
| bà | general |
To call her you say Ngoại ơi or Bà ngoại ơi, where ơi is a calling particle.
What does it mean word for word?
Bà means "grandmother" or "old lady" and ngoại means "outer", which marks the mother's side of the family.
Which one should you use?
The father's mother is bà nội, where nội means "inner". Vietnamese separates the two sides of the family with these words.
Did you know?
- The words nội (inner) and ngoại (outer) are also used for the paternal and maternal sides of the family in general, as in ông ngoại for the maternal grandfather.
Examples in context
- Bà ngoại ơi, con đến rồiGrandma, I have arrived.
- Hôm nay con về thăm bà ngoạiToday I am going home to visit my grandma.
- Bà ngoại nấu ăn rất ngonMy grandma cooks very well.
Example conversation
Mai arrives at the house of her maternal grandmother in a village near Hue.
- MaiBà ngoại ơi, con về rồi ạGrandma, I am home.
- Bà ngoạiỪ, vào nhà đi conYes, come inside, child.
- MaiBà ngoại khỏe không ạ?Are you well, Grandma?
