太婆
taai3 po4
The phrase for great grandma in Cantonese is 太婆 (taai3 po4).
太婆 is used to refer to the mother of one's grandmother.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 太 (taai3), meaning 'great' or 'extreme' and 婆 (po4), meaning 'grandmother' or 'old woman'.
Which one should you use?
While 太婆 is a common general term, in many traditional Cantonese families, specific terms are used to distinguish between the paternal and maternal sides.
How do you pronounce it?
taai3 po4
Did you know?
- The term 太 (taai3) can also be part of a title for an empress, linking the concept of 'greatness' in family to 'greatness' in imperial status.
- The term 婆 is also found in the word 婆婆, which can refer to a grandmother or a midwife in older contexts.
- In some Cantonese-speaking regions, if you call a woman 太婆 (taai3 po4), you might accidentally be calling her an 'old woman' rather than a family member.
Examples in context
- 我太婆好鍾意食甜品。ngo5 taai3 po4 hou2 zung1 ji3 sik6 tim4 ban2.My great grandma loves eating desserts.
- 呢位係我太婆。nei1 wai2 hai6 ngo5 taai3 po4.This is my great grandma.
Example conversation
A young man and woman are talking about their family members.
- 美玲 Mei Ling你太婆今日身體點呀？nei5 taai3 po4 gam1 jat1 san1 tai2 dim2 aa3?How is your great grandma's health today?
- 子健 Tsz Kin我太婆今日好精神。ngo5 taai3 po4 gam1 jat1 hou2 zing1 san4.My great grandma is very energetic today.
- 美玲 Mei Ling咁好呀，真係好高興。gam2 hou2 aa3, zan1 hai6 hou2 gou1 hing3.That's great, I'm really happy to hear that.
- 子健 Tsz Kin多謝你嘅關心。do1 ze6 nei5 ge3 gwaan1 sam1.Thank you for your concern.
