granny

granny — 名詞

1. an informal, affectionate word for a grandmother — someone's parent's mother, us

1.名詞A2
釋義

奶奶；外婆

對祖母或外祖母的暱稱

an informal, affectionate word for a grandmother — someone's parent's mother, used especially by children or when talking about family in a warm, familiar way.

例句

Elena visits her granny every Sunday after church.

Elena 每週日做完禮拜後都會去看她奶奶。

possessive: her granny

My granny taught me how to bake chocolate cookies when I was little.

我外婆在我小的時候教我烤巧克力餅乾。

同義詞
  • grandma

    equally informal, the most common alternative in American and British English

  • nana

    UK informal term, often used by very young children

  • grandmother

    neutral/formal term; appropriate in all contexts

文法句型

possessive + granny

用法筆記

Almost always used with a possessive like my, your, his, her, or a name (Granny Helen). Avoid using granny without a possessor in neutral contexts — it sounds oddly distant. Frequently used as a term of address ('Granny, can I have more cake?').

常見錯誤

❌I love granny house.
✅I love my granny's house.
💡You must use a possessive determiner (my, your, etc.) before 'granny' and an apostrophe -s for possession.
❌She is a granny of three children.
✅She is a grandmother of three children.
💡'Granny' is too informal for describing someone's family role in a factual way.

2. a rude way to refer to an older woman, meant to insult her or make her feel bad

2.名詞B2
釋義

老太婆

侮辱年長女性的用語

a rude way to refer to an older woman, meant to insult her or make her feel bad simply because she is old.

例句

Some teenagers shouted 'granny' at the elderly woman crossing the street.

幾個青少年對著過馬路的老太太大喊「老太婆」。

used as a taunt toward a stranger

The office manager was offended when a new hire referred to her as that old granny behind her back.

辦公室主管因為新進員工在背後叫她老阿婆而感到很生氣。

indirect derogatory reference behind someone's back

同義詞
  • old hag

    even stronger insult, also targets appearance, not just age

  • old bat

    UK slang insult for an older woman; equally offensive

文法句型

call someone a granny

you old granny

用法筆記

Strongly offensive in most contexts. Unlike the family sense (sense 1), this use targets strangers or non-family members with the intent to insult. Teachers, parents, and media often warn against using granny this way. The word carries ageist prejudice.

常見錯誤

❌Using 'granny' to refer to an unfamiliar older woman neutrally.
✅Use 'elderly woman' or 'older lady.
💡The word is only affectionate when talking about your own grandmother; for strangers it is insulting.

granny — 形容詞