Definition

1. Noun:
   • Mother-in-law: The mother of one's spouse. This is the primary and most common meaning of "bà gia."
   • Elderly woman / Matriarch: In some contexts, particularly in dialects or older usage, it can refer respectfully to an older woman or the female head of a household.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Bà gia tôi rất hiền. (My mother-in-law is very kind.)
  • Tôi sẽ đi thăm bà gia vào cuối tuần. (I will visit my mother-in-law this weekend.)
  • Bà gia trong làng được mọi người kính trọng. (The elderly matriarch in the village is respected by everyone.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "bà gia" is considered more dialectal or regional. In modern standard Vietnamese, "mẹ chồng" (husband's mother) or "mẹ vợ" (wife's mother) are more precise and commonly used terms for mother-in-law.

Variants and Related Words

• Mẹ chồng (n): Husband's mother.

  • Cô ấy có mối quan hệ tốt với mẹ chồng. (She has a good relationship with her mother-in-law [her husband's mother].)

• Mẹ vợ (n): Wife's mother.

  • Anh ấy rất quý mẹ vợ. (He is very fond of his mother-in-law [his wife's mother].)

Synonyms

• Mother-in-law: The mother of one's spouse.
• Matriarch: A woman who is the head of a family or tribe.

Notes on Usage

• While "bà gia" is understood, it can sound somewhat old-fashioned or regional. Learners are advised to use the more specific terms "mẹ chồng" or "mẹ vợ" for clarity in most situations.

noun

1. Mother-in-law