Definitions

1. Noun:
   • Old lady, elderly woman: Refers to a woman of advanced age. This term is neutral and descriptive.
   • (Informal) Wife, old woman: In informal, familiar contexts, it can be used by a husband to refer to his own wife, often with a sense of affection or long-term companionship, similar to "my old lady" in English.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Có một lão bà đang ngồi đọc sách trên ghế đá công viên. (An old lady is sitting reading a book on a park bench.)
  • Tối nay lão bà nhà tôi nấu món cá kho tộ rất ngon. (Tonight my wife cooked a delicious clay pot braised fish.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is straightforward. Its nuance depends entirely on context. When used to mean "wife," it implies a long-standing, familiar relationship and is typically used only by the husband himself in casual speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Bà lão: A more common variant with the same meanings (old lady, informal: wife). The word order is flexible.
• Lão ông: Old man, elderly gentleman. The male counterpart.
• Bà cụ: Very old woman, often implying frailty or great age.

Synonyms

• Người phụ nữ lớn tuổi: Elderly woman (more formal/polite).
• Vợ: Wife (standard, neutral term).
• Bà già: Old woman (can be neutral or slightly informal/abrupt depending on tone).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Lão bà lão ông: An elderly couple. Used to describe a married couple in their old age.
  • Khu phố này có nhiều cặp lão bà lão ông sống rất hạnh phúc. (This neighborhood has many elderly couples living very happily.)

noun

1. old lady