1.
old woman; elderly woman
A very old woman. The word is neutral to literary in tone and often appears in narratives, folklore, and descriptive writing. Not typically used as a direct form of address.
老婆が道端に座っていた。
An old woman was sitting by the roadside.
昔話に出てくる老婆は不思議な力を持っていることが多い。
Old women in folk tales often possess mysterious powers.
腰の曲がった老婆が杖をつきながらゆっくり歩いていた。
A stooped old woman was walking slowly, leaning on a cane.
USAGE: 老婆 is a literary or descriptive term. It is not considered polite to use it when speaking directly to or about a specific elderly person you know — use お婆さん or 年配の女性 instead.
The compound 老婆心 means "excessive concern" or "well-meaning meddlesomeness" (literally "old woman's heart"), and is used as a humble way of excusing unsolicited advice.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 老婆心: well-meaning meddlesomeness
- 老婆心ながら: if I may be so presumptuous (humble)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 老婆: old woman (literary/descriptive)
- お婆さん: grandmother; old woman (polite, everyday)
- 老女: elderly woman (formal/written)
- 老人: elderly person (gender-neutral)