ยาย
maternal grandmother
Native recording
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- 1 maternal grandmother、Grandma [maternal]
- 2 elderly woman、old lady
This word primarily means one’s maternal grandmother. It can also refer to or address an elderly woman, with the level of respect depending on the wording and context.
maternal grandmother、Grandma [maternal]
The standard family term for one’s mother’s mother, also used when speaking directly to her.
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คุณยายทำอาหารอร่อยมาก khun yaay tham aahǎan àrɔ̀ɔy mâak Grandma’s cooking is delicious. คุณยายทำอาหารอร่อยมาก details
elderly woman、old lady
A term for referring to or addressing a woman of grandmotherly age. Adding คุณ generally makes it more respectful.
Learning notes
Explanation
The core meaning of ยาย is one’s maternal grandmother—แม่ของแม่, or “mother’s mother.” Thai distinguishes grandparents by the maternal and paternal sides: ยาย is a maternal grandmother, ตา a maternal grandfather, ย่า a paternal grandmother, and ปู่ a paternal grandfather. Within a family, ยาย can be used like a name or as a direct form of address. A grandmother may also use ยาย to refer to herself when speaking to her grandchildren or younger family members. คุณยาย adds respect and warmth. The word can also refer to a woman of grandmotherly age who is not a relative. Its classifier when counting people is คน.
Usage
It is used routinely within families when talking about or addressing one’s maternal grandmother. It is also heard when referring to a grandmotherly woman in the neighborhood or at a shop, especially in the respectful form คุณยาย.
Caution
Do not use ยาย for a paternal grandmother; the correct word is ย่า. Addressing an unfamiliar elderly woman as bare ยาย can sound disrespectful, so คุณยาย is generally safer. Also, do not confuse ยาย with the similarly spelled ย้าย, meaning “to move” or “to relocate.”