si3 po4使婆

Jyutpingsi3 po4

Yalesi pòh

Definition

An old female domestic helper or maid.

colloquialpeoplehome

How it's used

This term carries a slightly dated or old fashioned tone, reflecting a time when domestic helpers were often long term employees who grew old with the family. It is rarely used in modern contexts to describe contemporary foreign domestic workers, as it specifically implies a sense of seniority or long tenure. Using it to describe a younger helper would be considered inaccurate and potentially rude.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

ni1呢go3個sai2使po2婆喺hai2屋uk1企kei2做zou6咗zo2好hou2多do1年。

This old maid has worked at home for many years.

nei5你ceng2請zo2咗go3個sai2使po2婆faan1返lai4嚟bong1幫sau2手aa4呀？

Did you hire an old maid to come help out?

Common phrases

ceng2請sai2使po2婆

to hire an old maid

lou5老sai2使po2婆

an elderly maid

Common mistake

Avoid using this term for modern domestic helpers, as it sounds archaic and can be perceived as derogatory or condescending depending on the tone. Use 工人 or 家傭 for neutral, everyday references.