ババア
babaa
The English phrase "old hag" is translated into Japanese as ババア (babaa).
ババア is a highly derogatory and rude term used to describe an older woman.
Which one should you use?
While ババア is an insult, お婆さん (obāsan) is the polite and respectful way to address or refer to an elderly woman or grandmother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ババア is an informal and highly derogatory term. Other informal ways to refer to an older woman include ばば and おばば, which translate to "old lady".
How does it change in a sentence?
In colloquial Japanese, the long aa sound at the end of ババア is a common way to make a noun sound more aggressive or vulgar.
How do you pronounce it?
babaa
Did you know?
- Japanese has a related term ババア臭い (babaa-kusai), which literally means 'smelling like an old hag' and is used to describe things that feel outdated or old-fashioned.
- While ババア is extremely rude, the similar sounding word 婆 (baba) appears in many traditional Japanese folklore tales to describe powerful, supernatural old women or witches.
- In some extreme colloquial contexts, the word can be used by people to refer to themselves or their own mothers in a self-deprecating or rough, humorous way among very close friends.
Examples in context
- あのババア、本当にうるさいな。Ano babaa, hontou ni urusai na.That old hag is really noisy.
- ババア呼ばわりされて、すごく腹が立った。Babaa yobiwari sarete, sugoku hara ga tatta.I was so angry because I was called an old hag.
- そんなババアに構う必要はないよ。Sonna babaa ni kamau hitsuyou wa nai yo.There is no need to bother with such an old hag.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are walking past a grumpy neighbor.
- 美咲 Misakiまたあのババアに睨まれたよ。Mata ano babaa ni niramareta yo.That old hag glared at me again.
- 健太 Kenta美咲、そんなに気にしなくていいよ。Misaki, sonna ni ki ni shinakute ii yo.Misaki, don't worry about it so much.
- 美咲 Misakiでも、本当に嫌な気分になる。Demo, hontou ni iya na kibun ni naru.But it really puts me in a bad mood.
- 健太 Kentaそうだね、早くここを離れよう。Sou dane, hayaku koko o hanareyou.You're right, let's get out of here quickly.
