baak3 je1 po2伯爺婆伯爷婆
Jyutpingbaak3 je1 po2
Yalebaak yē pó
Definition
An old woman, or an elderly man's affectionate term for his wife.
- an old woman; elderly woman
- an affectionate term used by an elderly man to address his wife
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Refers to elderly women with a tone that can range from descriptive to slightly informal or even blunt depending on the context. While it is sometimes used by elderly men as an affectionate term for their own wives, using it to address strangers can sound disrespectful or rude. It is safer to use terms like 老人家 or 阿婆 when speaking to or about someone you do not know well.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Those old women in the park are chatting very happily.
Related words
Common phrases
a few old women
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to address a stranger directly, as it can be perceived as belittling or impolite. Stick to more neutral or respectful terms like 阿婆 or 婆婆 in public interactions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
