Definitions

(noun) grandmother; mother-in-law
(noun) elderly woman; matron

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "婆" has a composition that provides insight into its core meaning, being formed from the semantic component "女" indicating a female person, combined with "波" which represents waves, suggesting an association with something that flows or perhaps sways. Its primary and enduring semantic function has been to denote an elderly woman, a concept that organically extended to specific familial roles such as grandmother and, most commonly, a husband's mother. While its traditional form remains structurally identical to its modern standard rendering, the character's application has seen some narrowing over time, moving away from older, more generalized uses, such as being part of titles for certain female deities or skilled women, to become almost exclusively tethered to the domestic sphere and familial relationships.

Example Sentences Hide

我的老很温柔。

Wǒ de lǎopo hěn wēnróu.

My wife is very gentle.

给我讲故事。

Wàipó gěi wǒ jiǎng gùshi.

My maternal grandmother tells me stories.

和媳妇关系很好。

Pópo hé xífu guānxi hěn hǎo.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have a good relationship.

她嫁入了富裕的家。

Tā jià rù le fùyù de pójiā.

She married into a wealthy husband's family.

罗门是印度的一种姓。

Póluómén shì Yìndù de yī zhǒng xìng.

Brahmin is a caste in India.

树叶在风中娑起舞。

Shùyè zài fēng zhōng pósuō qǐwǔ.

The leaves dance swirling in the wind.

慢慢地走过街道。

Lǎo pópo mànman de zǒu guò jiēdào.

The old woman slowly walked across the street.

媳之间的矛盾很难解决。

Póxí zhī jiān de máodùn hěn nán jiějué.

The conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are hard to resolve.