Definition

1. Noun (Archaic):
   • Old mother: A respectful, somewhat literary term for an elderly mother. It conveys a sense of venerability and age.
   • One's aged mother: Used specifically to refer to one's own mother in her old age, emphasizing filial respect.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Lão mẫu của anh ấy đã hơn chín mươi tuổi. (His old mother is over ninety years of age.)
  • Phận làm con, phải hiếu kính lão mẫu. (As a child, one must be filial and respectful to one's aged mother.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily found in classical or formal literary contexts, historical texts, or in speech intending to sound particularly respectful and old-fashioned. It is rarely used in modern everyday conversation.

Variants and Related Words

• Mẫu thân (n): A formal, respectful term for "mother."
  • Mẫu thân tôi là giáo viên. (My mother is a teacher.)
• Hiền mẫu (n): A virtuous mother; a term denoting respect and admiration.
  • Người ta thường nhắc đến bà như một hiền mẫu. (People often mention her as a virtuous mother.)

Synonyms

• Aged mother: An elderly mother.
• Venerable mother: A mother deserving respect due to age and dignity.

Notes on Usage

• Register: Archaic/Literary. The word "lão" (old) combined with "mẫu" (mother) creates a term of high respect but is considered outdated.
• Context: Its use today would be highly deliberate, perhaps in formal writing, poetry, or period dramas to evoke a classical or historical feeling. In contemporary settings, terms like "mẹ già" (old mother) are more common, though less formally respectful.