Vietnamese Accent:
American Accent:
British Accent:
Phonetic Spelling:
Vietnamese IPA: /ɓà˨˩ ŋwàj˨˩/
Simple text: bah-NGWAI
Meaning:
Bà ngoại is a Vietnamese term meaning “maternal grandmother.” It is used to refer to the mother of one’s mother.
Examples:
- Tôi yêu bà ngoại của tôi rất nhiều.
(I love my maternal grandmother very much.) - Bà ngoại đã nấu một bữa ăn ngon cho cả gia đình.
(My grandmother cooked a delicious meal for the entire family.)
Synonyms:
- Bà (general term for grandmother or older woman)
- Bà bên ngoại (Maternal grandmother, less common)
Antonyms:
- Bà nội (Paternal grandmother, father’s mother)
Etymology:
In Vietnamese, bà means “grandmother” or “elderly woman,” and ngoại means “outside” or “external,” signifying maternal lineage (as opposed to nội, meaning “inside,” which refers to the paternal side).
Common Mispronunciations:
- Incorrect: BAH-noi, BAH-nwai
- Correct: bah-NGWAI
Tip: Emphasize the nasal “ng” sound and use a falling tone for each word (indicated by the grave accent mark).
Usage Tips:
- Bà ngoại is a respectful term, often used affectionately.
- It can also be used as a title of respect for older women in some contexts, but usually refers to family members.
Word Family:
- Bà nội (paternal grandmother)
- Bà cố (great-grandmother)