mụ già
Definition
- Noun:
- An old woman: A direct, and often impolite or derogatory, term for an elderly female. The word "mụ" itself carries a negative or disrespectful connotation, implying someone is old, unattractive, or unpleasant. "Mụ già" emphasizes advanced age and is generally considered rude.
- A crone / a hag: A strongly pejorative term for a nasty, ugly, or malevolent old woman.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Đừng có nghe lời mụ già đó. (Don't listen to that old woman.)
- Trong truyện cổ tích, thường có một mụ già phù thủy độc ác. (In fairy tales, there is often an evil old witch.)
Advanced Usage
- In classical Vietnamese literature, such as (The Tale of Kieu), "mụ già" can be used as a specific narrative term for an old female servant or housekeeper, often one who is cunning or experienced in the household's affairs. This usage is more descriptive than casually derogatory.
- Mụ già ấy biết hết mọi chuyện trong phủ. (That old housekeeper knows everything that happens in the mansion.)
Variants and Related Words
- Mụ (n): A derogatory term for a woman, implying she is old, disagreeable, or of low status.
- Bà già (n): A neutral or informal term for an old woman. "Bà" is respectful, so "bà già" is far less offensive than "mụ già."
- Lão bà (n): A literary term for an old woman, not inherently disrespectful.
Synonyms
- Crone: An ugly, withered old woman.
- Hag: A malicious or frightening old woman.
- Old woman: A neutral translation, though "mụ già" is not neutral.
Related Idioms
- Mụ phù thủy: literally "witch crone," used to mean a witch.
- Bọn trẻ tưởng bà ấy là mụ phù thủy. (The children thought she was a witch.)