婆婆
pópo
In Chinese, 婆婆 (pópo) (po po) is used to refer to a paternal grandmother or a grandmother-in-law.
The term 婆婆 is used to describe a paternal grandmother. In a marital context, a woman specifically uses 婆婆 to refer to her husband's mother (mother-in-law).
Which one should you use?
While 婆婆 refers to a paternal grandmother or grandmother-in-law, the term 奶奶 (nǎinai) is the more common standard term for a paternal grandmother.
How do you pronounce it?
pópo
Did you know?
- The word 婆 (pó) is also used in the term 婆婆妈妈 (pópo māma), which describes someone who is overly fussy or nags like an old woman.
- The character 婆 originally referred to an elderly woman, and in ancient texts, it was often used to describe a woman's role as a midwife or a village elder.
- Chinese culture has a specific word for the relationship between a woman and her 婆婆, known as 婆媳关系 (póxí guānxì), which is often discussed as a complex social dynamic in media and literature.
Examples in context
- 佢係一個警察。(Keoi hai jat goh ging chaat.)He is a police officer.
- 我的婆婆很慈祥。Wǒ de pópo hěn cíxiáng.My paternal grandmother is very kind.
- 你婆婆身体好吗？Nǐ pópo shēntǐ hǎo ma?Is your grandmother-in-law in good health?
- 我们要去探望婆婆。Wǒmen yào qù tànwàng pópo.We are going to visit grandmother.
Example conversation
At a home, a couple is discussing visiting family.
- 志强 Zhiqiang晓雯，我们什么时候去看婆婆？Xiǎowén, wǒmen shénme shíhou qù kàn pópo?Xiaowen, when are we going to visit grandmother?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这个周末吧，志强。Zhège zhōumò ba, Zhìqiáng.This weekend, Zhiqiang.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好，我给她买点礼物。Hǎo, wǒ gěi tā mǎi diǎn lǐwù.Okay, I will buy some gifts for her.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen她一定会很开心的。Tā yīdìng huì hěn kāixīn de.She will surely be very happy.
