老太太
lǎotàitai
In Chinese, 'old lady' is translated as 老太太 (lǎotàitai).
老太太 is an informal term used to refer to an elderly woman. It is commonly used in casual conversation or storytelling when describing an elderly woman in a third-person context.
Meaning: informal: elderly woman (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 老 (old) and 太太 (lady/madam).
Which one should you use?
While 老太太 is a descriptive noun used to refer to an old lady, 奶奶 (nǎinai) is often used as a respectful way to address an elderly woman directly, even if she is not your actual grandmother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While 太太 (tàitai) can be a polite way to address a married woman, the reduplicated form 老太太 is used informally to refer to an elderly woman in a casual and friendly context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hǎinán Province, it is common to use the term 阿嬷 (Āmá) to refer to an older lady.
How do you pronounce it?
lǎotàitai
Did you know?
- The term 奶奶 (nǎinai), mentioned as a respectful alternative, is a 'kinship term' used for strangers, a common way in Chinese culture to establish a faux-familial connection to show respect.
- If you are reading a classic novel, 老太太 might be used to refer to the matriarch of a powerful family, signifying her absolute authority over the household.
- In certain historical contexts, the term 太太 (tàitai) used in 老太太 originally referred to the wives of high-ranking officials or the upper class, rather than just a generic 'lady'.
Examples in context
- 他幫助一位老太太從位子上站起來。He helped an old lady get up from her seat.This sentence shows someone helping an old lady with the form 老太太.Tatoeba #3149141 by cienias, translation #299212 by CK
- 三輪車，跑得快。上面坐個老太太。要五毛，給一塊。你說奇怪不奇怪？A tricycle runs fast. An old lady sits inside. Asked her for fifty cents, she gave a dollar. Don't you think that's strange?This sentence uses the form 老太太 in a storytelling context about a tricycle ride.Tatoeba #13541173 by LeviHighway, translation #14017362 by LeviHighway
- 他同意幫助這位老太太。He consented to help the old lady.This sentence demonstrates consenting to help an old lady using the form 老太太.Tatoeba #889114 by Martha, translation #291386 by CK
- Āmá, nǐ zhù zài nǎr? (阿嬷，你住在哪儿？)Granny, where do you live?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a park, a young man and woman see an elderly woman exercising.
- 俊杰 Junjie那位老太太在公園散步。Nà wèi lǎotàitai zài gōngyuán sànbù.That old lady is walking in the park.
- 雨婷 Yuting她看起來精神很好。Tā kàn qǐlái jīngshén hěn hǎo.She looks very energetic.
- 俊杰 Junjie雨婷，你看那位老太太在跳舞。Yǔtíng, nǐ kàn nà wèi lǎotàitai zài tiàowǔ.Yuting, look at that old lady dancing.
- 雨婷 Yuting她跳得真優雅。Tā tiào de zhēn yōuyǎ.She dances so elegantly.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
