八卦老太婆
bāguà lǎotàipó
The English phrase 'vieja chismosa' can be translated into Chinese as 八卦老太婆 (bāguà lǎotàipó).
八卦老太婆 is a derogatory term used to describe an older woman who enjoys spreading gossip about others.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 八卦 (bāguà), which literally means 'eight trigrams' but is used colloquially to mean 'gossip' and 老太婆 (lǎotàipó), meaning 'old woman' or 'old hag'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term 八卦老太婆 is highly informal and carries a derogatory, insulting tone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong Cantonese, the informal term 八婆 (baat3 po4) can be used to refer to a gossiping woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective 八卦 functions as a modifier for the noun phrase 老太婆.
How do you pronounce it?
bāguà lǎotàipó
Did you know?
- The term for 'gossip' in the phrase, 八卦, refers to the 'eight trigrams' used in ancient Chinese cosmology and divination. While it once described the fundamental patterns of the universe, it is now used to describe someone who is constantly 'calculating' or tracking the affairs of others.
- In modern Chinese digital culture, you might see the term 八卦之魂 used to describe someone with a 'soul of gossip'. It is a playful, slangy way to describe a person who is intensely driven to uncover the latest social news.
- The concept of 八卦 as 'gossip' is a relatively modern linguistic shift, whereas the ancient 'eight trigrams' remain a serious pillar of traditional Chinese medicine and architecture.
Examples in context
- 我的邻居真是一个八卦女。My neighbor is a real gossipy woman.
- 别听那个八卦老太婆瞎说。Bié tīng nàge bāguà lǎotài pó xiāshuō.Don't listen to that gossip old woman's nonsense.
- 她是个典型的八卦老太婆。Tā shì gè diǎnxíng de bāguà lǎotài pó.She is a typical gossip old woman.
Example conversation
Zihan and Junjie are talking about a neighbor.
- 梓涵 Zihan俊杰，你听说了邻居的事吗？Jùnjié, nǐ tīngshuō le línjū de shì ma?Junjie, did you hear about the neighbor?
- 俊杰 Junjie又是那个八卦老太婆传的谣言吗？Yòushì nàge bāguà lǎotàipó chuán de yáoyán ma?Is it another rumor spread by that gossiping old woman?
- 梓涵 Zihan没错，她总是盯着每个人。Méicuò, tā zǒngshì dīngzhe měigè rén.Exactly, she is always watching everyone.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们最好离她远一点。Wǒmen zuìhǎo lí tā yuǎn yīdiǎn.We had better stay away from her.
