ngo5 lou5 po4我老婆
Jyutpingngo5 lou5 po4
Yalengóh lóuh pòh
Definition
My wife
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Using 我老婆 is the standard, natural way to refer to one's spouse in casual conversation. It avoids the formality of 妻子, which is typically reserved for written documents or very formal introductions. When speaking to someone else about their spouse, it is more polite to use 你太太 instead of 你老婆 to show respect.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 妻子 in casual speech as it sounds overly formal or stiff, similar to saying 'spouse' in a very dry, legal context. Also, ensure you do not use 內人 in modern daily conversation, as it is considered archaic and pretentious.
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.
