lou5 gu1 po4老姑婆
Jyutpinglou5 gu1 po4
Yalelóuh gū pòh
Definition
An unmarried old woman; a spinster.
colloquialpeoplefamily
How it's used
This term carries a strong negative connotation and is often used to mock or belittle women who remain unmarried past a certain age. While some people use it in a self-deprecating way to joke about their own single status, it is considered offensive and sexist when directed at others. It reflects traditional social pressures regarding marriage and aging.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
She never got married her whole life and became a spinster.
If I don't find a partner soon, I'll become a spinster sooner or later.
Related words
Common phrases
to become a spinster
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to describe any unmarried woman, as it is highly derogatory and implies that a woman's value is tied to her marital status. It is never appropriate in professional or polite social settings.
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.
