lão mẫu
Definition
- 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 The word "lão" (old) combined with "mẫu" (mother) creates a term of high respect but is considered outdated.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.