Meanings of 老婆
By ear
Play it, then pick what 老婆 means.
About 老婆
Podcast: 老婆
Podcast: 老婆
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 老婆
妻子 (qīzi) - use 妻子 for a more formal or traditional reference to 'wife'.
Be cautious with tone, as using the wrong tone can change meaning. 老婆 is informal, so it's best to avoid using it in formal settings. Common collocations include '我的老婆' (wǒ de lǎopó - my wife) and '老婆大人' (lǎopó dàren - respectful way to refer to one's wife).
As part of HSK Level 5, understanding 老婆 can help you connect with colloquial expressions and familial terms. Focus on its usage in conversations about relationships, and practice using it in context to reinforce your learning.
Learners often confuse 老婆 with 妻子, using 老婆 in formal contexts incorrectly. For example, saying '我妻子在这里' (wǒ qīzi zài zhèlǐ - my wife is here) is correct, but using 老婆 would be inappropriate in formal introductions.
Pronunciation of 老婆
Drill the tone of 老婆 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 老婆 to You
Let me explain 老婆 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 老婆 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 老婆?
Learning Lab
Knowing 老婆 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component Characters
How to say (coll.) wife in Chinese
“(coll.) wife” in Chinese is老婆
老婆 (lǎopó) is an informal term used in Mandarin to refer to 'wife.' It carries a sense of familiarity and affection, often used among couples or in casual contexts. While it is widely accepted, using it in very formal situations may be considered inappropriate.
When to use 老婆
Be cautious with tone, as using the wrong tone can change meaning. 老婆 is informal, so it's best to avoid using it in formal settings. Common collocations include '我的老婆' (wǒ de lǎopó - my wife) and '老婆大人' (lǎopó dàren - respectful way to refer to one's wife).
老婆 or something close to it
妻子 (qīzi) - use 妻子 for a more formal or traditional reference to 'wife'.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 老婆 with 妻子, using 老婆 in formal contexts incorrectly. For example, saying '我妻子在这里' (wǒ qīzi zài zhèlǐ - my wife is here) is correct, but using 老婆 would be inappropriate in formal introductions.
Write 老婆
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 老婆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 老婆?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 老婆
No, 老婆 is informal and is best used in casual contexts.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 老婆?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.