respectful term for elderly woman; mother/mother-in-law
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
respectful term for an elderly woman
honorificA polite and respectful way to refer to an elderly woman, often implying dignity and respectability.
Nà那
wèi位
lǎo老
tài太
tai太
měi每
tiān天
dōu都
lái来
gōng公
yuán园
sàn散
bù步
。
That elderly lady comes to the park for a walk every day.
Zhè这
wèi位
lǎo老
tài太
tai太
zhēn真
jīng精
shen神
，
kàn看
qǐ起
lái来
yī一
diǎn点
yě也
bù不
xiàng像
bā八
shí十
suì岁
。
This old lady is so energetic; she doesn't look eighty at all.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Lù路
shang上
yù遇
dào到
yī一
wèi位
lǎo老
tài太
tai太
zài在
wèn问
lù路
。
We met an elderly lady on the road asking for directions.
noun
(polite) one's elderly mother, mother-in-law, or husband's mother
honorificUsed when speaking politely about one's own or someone else's elderly mother or mother-in-law. Shows respect and can refer to either side of the family.
Wǒ我
men们
jiā家
lǎo老
tài太
tai太
shēn身
tǐ体
tè特
bié别
hǎo好
，
měi每
tiān天
dōu都
néng能
pá爬
lóu楼
tī梯
。
My elderly mother is in excellent health; she can climb stairs every day.
Nǐ你
men们
jiā家
lǎo老
tài太
tai太
zuì最
jìn近
zěn怎
me么
yàng样
？
How is your elderly mother doing recently?
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Tā他
dài待
lǎo老
tài太
tai太
hěn很
xiào孝
shùn顺
，
měi每
tiān天
dōu都
péi陪
tā她
liáo聊
tiān天
。
He treats his mother with great filial piety, chatting with her every day.