姥

lǎo, mǔ
女 + 老

Definitions

lǎo (noun) maternal grandmother
mǔ (noun) old woman; elderly female

Etymology

An older 老 woman 女; 老 also provides the pronunciation

About

姥 is a phono-semantic compound combining the female radical 女 (woman) on the left with 老 (old) on the right. The component 老 both reinforces the meaning of advanced age and gives the character its pronunciation. 姥 refers to an elderly woman, and in many regional dialects it serves as the common word for maternal grandmother. Historically, it also denoted elderly female servants within a household, such as governesses or midwives.

Example Sentences Hide

我姥姥很慈祥。

Wǒ lǎolao hěn cíxiáng.

My grandmother is very kind.

姥姥住在乡下。

Lǎolao zhù zài xiāngxià.

Grandmother lives in the countryside.

我经常去看姥姥。

Wǒ jīngcháng qù kàn lǎolao.

I often go to see my grandmother.

姥姥做的饭很好吃。

Lǎolao zuò de fàn hěn hǎochī.

The food grandmother cooks is very delicious.

妈妈和姥姥在聊天。

Māma hé lǎolao zài liáotiān.

Mom and grandmother are chatting.

姥姥年轻时是个教师。

Lǎolao niánqīng shí shì gè jiàoshī.

Grandmother was a teacher when she was young.

我们全家都爱姥姥。

Wǒmen quán jiā dōu ài lǎolao.

Our whole family loves grandmother.

姥姥给了我很多压岁钱。

Lǎolao gěi le wǒ hěn duō yāsuìqián.

Grandmother gave me a lot of lucky money.

Related Characters

Component: 女

要 如 好 她 女 安 始 委 威 妈 姐 娘 妇 婚

Component: 老

佬 耆 耄 铑 耋 栳 粩 耈 㧯 咾 狫 銠

Example Words

姥姥 姥爷 姥娘 姨姥姥 老姥