ngoi6 mou2外母
Jyutpingngoi6 mou2
Yalengoih móu
Definition
Mother-in-law; the mother of a married man's wife.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to a wife's mother, whereas a husband's mother is called 奶奶. It is common to use the term with the respectful particle 嘅 or just directly when addressing her, though many people prefer using more affectionate titles like 媽咪 or 阿媽 depending on the family closeness.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
My mother-in-law cooked a lot of dishes today.
Does your mother-in-law live near your home?
Related words
Common phrases
mother-in-law is beaming with joy
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 奶奶, which refers to the husband's mother. Using the wrong term will cause significant confusion about which side of the family is being discussed.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
