Meanings of 老婆
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About 老婆
Podcast: 老婆
Podcast: 老婆
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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
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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
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Frequently Asked Questions about 老婆
No, 老婆 is informal and is best used in casual contexts.
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