ngoi6 zou2 mou5外祖母
Jyutpingngoi6 zou2 mou5
Yalengoih jóu móuh
Definition
Maternal grandmother; one's mother's mother.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
婆婆 is the standard, everyday term for maternal grandmother in Cantonese. While 外祖母 is technically correct, it is almost exclusively used in formal writing or legal documents. Using it in casual conversation sounds stiff and unnatural, as if you are reading from a textbook.
Measure word
go3個goRelated words
Common mistake
Do not confuse 婆婆 with 伯母, which is a polite way to address someone else's mother. Also, note that 婆婆 can also be used as a respectful term for any elderly woman, not just one's own grandmother.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
