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婆 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
婆
pó
grandmother
n, 11 strokes, radical 女, rank #4773, Hard
婆
pó
matron
n, 11 strokes, radical 女, rank #4773, Hard
婆
pó
mother-in-law
n, 11 strokes, radical 女, rank #4773, Hard
婆
pó
old woman; grandmother
n, 11 strokes, radical 女, rank #4773, Hard
pó(po2)po T2
1grandmother
2matron
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March 24, 2026
婆pó(po2)
The character 婆 (pó) primarily refers to an older woman, often in the context of a grandmother or mother-in-law. It can also imply a matronly figure, suggesting wisdom and experience associated with age. This character is commonly used in familial contexts, particularly when talking about relatives or older women in a community.
Strokes11Radical女Frequency#4773DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the role of the grandmother is significant, often seen as a key figure in the family who imparts wisdom and traditions. The concept of the matron is deeply rooted in familial hierarchy and respect for elders.
Memory tip
Imagine a wise old woman sitting in a rocking chair, knitting a sweater for her grandchildren. The character 婆 resembles a woman with a traditional hairstyle (the top part) and a nurturing presence, which connects to its meaning of 'grandmother' or 'matron'. Remember 'pó' by thinking of 'grandmothers are often wise like a sage sitting on a porch'.
Meanings of 婆
pó(po2)
1grandmother
2matron
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 婆 means.
About 婆
婆Simplified
11Strokes
女Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4773Frequency Rank
Podcast: 婆
Podcast: 婆
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AI study notes for 婆
Quick Contrast
丈母娘 (zhàngmǔniáng, mother-in-law) - use 婆 when referring to an older woman in a broader or more affectionate sense, while丈母娘 specifically denotes the mother of one's spouse.
Usage Notes
When using 婆, be aware of the context; it can sometimes carry a connotation of age that might be seen as disrespectful if used inappropriately. It's often combined with other characters, such as 婆婆 (pópo), which specifically means 'grandmother'. Learners should be cautious of tone when pronouncing this word, ensuring they use the correct third tone.
HSK Study Tips
Although 婆 is not categorized under a specific HSK level, it is beneficial for learners to know it as part of familial vocabulary. Students should focus on related terms like 祖母 (zǔmǔ) for 'grandmother' and 婆婆 (pópo) to reinforce understanding of family relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 婆 with other terms for grandmother, like 祖母 (zǔmǔ), leading to incorrect usage in formal contexts. Remember that 婆 is more informal and can refer to any older woman, not just a grandmother.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 婆
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Knowing 婆 is seven skills, not one.
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婆 = 女 + 波. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 婆
IDS Structure⿱波女
婆Full character
=
波Bo1
top
女nü3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 婆?
How to say grandmother in Chinese
“grandmother” in Chinese is婆pó
The character 婆 (pó) primarily refers to an older woman, often in the context of a grandmother or mother-in-law. It can also imply a matronly figure, suggesting wisdom and experience associated with age. This character is commonly used in familial contexts, particularly when talking about relatives or older women in a community.
When to use 婆
When using 婆, be aware of the context; it can sometimes carry a connotation of age that might be seen as disrespectful if used inappropriately. It's often combined with other characters, such as 婆婆 (pópo), which specifically means 'grandmother'. Learners should be cautious of tone when pronouncing this word, ensuring they use the correct third tone.
婆 or something close to it
丈母娘 (zhàngmǔniáng, mother-in-law) - use 婆 when referring to an older woman in a broader or more affectionate sense, while丈母娘 specifically denotes the mother of one's spouse.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 婆 with other terms for grandmother, like 祖母 (zǔmǔ), leading to incorrect usage in formal contexts. Remember that 婆 is more informal and can refer to any older woman, not just a grandmother.
Write 婆
婆
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Practice writing 婆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 婆
婆 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
树冠在微风中____娑摇曳。
The tops of the trees rippled in the breeze.
Usage Notes for 婆
Confusing 婆 with 祖母Common Error
Learners often confuse 婆 with 祖母 (grandmother). 婆 specifically refers to a maternal grandmother or mother-in-law, while 祖母 is a general term for grandmother.
1
我去看我的婆。
I went to see my grandmother.
Exercise 1 of 1
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我去看我的____。
I went to see my grandmother.
Example sentences for 婆 (16)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
树冠在微风中婆娑摇曳。
shù guān zài Wēi fēng zhōng pó suō yáo yè。
The tops of the trees rippled in the breeze.
2
我母亲和我 婆婆 相处得很好.
wǒ mǔqīn hé wǒ pó pó xiāngchǔ de hěn hǎo.
My mother and my mother - in - law are getting on famously.
Oh, what a good woman that was who directed me hither!
10
挪开些,让你外婆坐下来.
nuó kāi xiē, ràng nǐ wàipó zuòxia lái.
Move over and let your grandmother sit down.
11
我常常去看望我的婆。
Wǒ chángcháng qù kànwàng wǒ de pó.
I often visit my grandmother.
12
婆喜欢给我讲故事。
Pó xǐhuān gěi wǒ jiǎng gùshì.
Grandmother likes to tell me stories.
13
我和婆一起去公园散步。
Wǒ hé pó yīqǐ qù gōngyuán sànbù.
I go for a walk in the park with my grandmother.
14
婆做的饭很好吃。
Pó zuò de fàn hěn hǎochī.
The food my grandmother makes is very delicious.
15
我每个周末都去看我婆。
Wǒ měi gè zhōumò dōu qù kàn wǒ pó.
I visit my grandmother every weekend.
16
婆给我织了一件新毛衣。
Pó gěi wǒ zhī le yī jiàn xīn máoyī.
Grandmother knitted me a new sweater.
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Word Family of 婆
Compounds1
嘙pó
Words containing this character20
老婆lǎopo(coll.) wife
婆pómatron
外婆wàipó(coll.) mother's mother
婆婆pópograndma
巫婆wūpówitch
老太婆lǎotàipóold woman (at times contemptuous)
婆娘póniangwoman (derog.)
阿婆āpógranny
公婆gōngpóhusband's parents
婆家pójiāhusband's family
婆婆妈妈pópomāmāeffeminate婆婆媽媽
富婆fùpówealthy woman
婆媳póxímother-in-law and daughter-in-law
苦口婆心kǔkǒupóxīnearnest and well-meaning advice (idiom); to persuade patiently
婆娑pósuōto swirl about
姑婆gūpógrandfather's sister
太婆tàipógreat-grandmother
小老婆xiǎolǎopóconcubine
媒婆méipómatchmaker
麻婆豆腐mápódòufǔmapo tofu
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 婆
What does 老婆 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 婆
In Chinese, mother-in-law is commonly referred to as 婆 (pó). It's important to note that this term can also refer to a grandmother, depending on the context.
婆 (pó) typically refers to a grandmother in a more casual or familiar context, while 祖母 (zǔmǔ) is a more formal term for grandmother. Understanding these nuances helps in using the correct term based on the context.
You can use 婆 (pó) in sentences like '我奶奶是我的婆' (Wǒ nǎinai shì wǒ de pó), which means 'My grandmother is my 婆'. This shows the familial relationship clearly.
婆 (pó) primarily means 'grandmother' in Chinese. It can also refer to a 'matron' or 'mother-in-law'. This character is often used in familial contexts.
No, 婆 can refer to any older woman, including mother-in-laws or matronly figures, but it is often associated with grandmothers.
It's not appropriate; 婆 specifically denotes older women and may carry a connotation of age.
The correct pronunciation is 'pó' with a rising tone, which is the third tone in Mandarin.
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