In Chinese culture, respecting and cherishing grandparents is an important value. The Chinese word for a maternal grandmother is "wài pó" (外婆), while a paternal grandmother is "nǎi nǎi" (奶奶). If you have a Chinese friend or family member who refers to their grandmother as "wài pó," you may wonder how to pronounce the word correctly. In this article, we'll explore the sound of "wài pó" and provide some tips on how to say it.
Chinese is a tonal language, meaning that the pitch and contour of a word affect its meaning. "Wài pó" is pronounced with two syllables: "wài" and "pó." The first syllable, "wài," is pronounced with a high, level tone, similar to the tone used when asking a question in English. The second syllable, "pó," is pronounced with a falling-rising tone, which means that the pitch drops first and then rises. It sounds like the word "paw" in English, but with a rising pitch at the end.
If you're not familiar with tonal languages, it may take some practice to get the right sound for "wài pó." Here are some tips to help you:
Listen to native speakers pronounce the word. You can find videos on YouTube or ask a Chinese friend for help.
Practice saying each syllable separately first, then try to say them together.
Try to copy the rising and falling pitch of each syllable. Record yourself and compare it to a native speaker if possible.
Use context to help you understand the meaning of the word. For example, if your friend says "wài pó" while pointing to their grandmother, you can guess that it means "grandmother."
While "wài pó" is the most common term for a maternal grandmother in Mandarin Chinese, there are other words for "grandmother" in different Chinese dialects:
"Lao ye" (嫲娥) - Hokkien, a dialect spoken in Taiwan and parts of Southeast Asia
"Pó po" (婆婆) - Cantonese, a dialect spoken in Guangdong province and Hong Kong
"A mà" (阿嬷) - Taiwanese Hokkien, a subdialect of Hokkien spoken in Taiwan
If you're learning Chinese, it can be helpful to be aware of these regional variations in vocabulary.
Regardless of the language or culture, showing respect and gratitude to your grandparents is always a good thing. Take the time to learn about their history and wisdom, and make an effort to spend time with them regularly. You never know what valuable life lessons you might learn from them!
