wàigōng: 外公 - Maternal Grandfather

• Keywords: 外公, waigong, maternal grandfather, mother's father, grandfather in Chinese, Chinese family names, Chinese kinship, waipo, laoye, yeye, nainai, 外婆, 姥爷, 爷爷, 奶奶
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 外公 (wàigōng), which specifically means “maternal grandfather” (your mother's father). This page breaks down the cultural significance behind why Chinese has separate words for grandfathers, how to use the term in daily conversation, and how to avoid common mistakes like confusing it with 爷爷 (yéye), your paternal grandfather.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wàigōng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: Maternal grandfather; the father of one's mother.
• In a Nutshell: 外公 (wàigōng) is the standard and common way to say “grandpa” for your mom's dad. The character 外 (wài) means “outside,” which hints at the traditional Chinese family structure where the mother's family is considered “external” to the father's direct lineage. It's a term used both to address him directly and to talk about him.

• 外 (wài): This character's primary meaning is “outside,” “external,” or “foreign.” It's used in words like “foreigner” (外国人, wàiguórén) and “takeout” (外卖, wàimài).
• 公 (gōng): This character can mean “public,” “male,” or “elder.” Here, it signifies a respected male elder, similar to “duke” or “sir” in an old-fashioned sense.

The characters combine to mean “outside male elder.” This term is a product of China's traditionally patrilineal society, where the family line, name, and inheritance passed through the father. Therefore, the father's parents (爷爷, 奶奶) are the “inside” or core family, while the mother's parents (外公, 外婆) are the respected but “outside” family.

The distinction between 外公 (wàigōng) and 爷爷 (yéye) is one of the first cultural hurdles for English-speaking learners. In English, “grandfather” or “grandpa” is used for both. The Chinese specificity reveals a core aspect of traditional Chinese culture: patrilineal lineage. Historically, a woman would marry *into* her husband's family, and her children would be considered part of his family line. Her family was thus the “外” (wài) or “outside” family. This linguistic distinction was a marker of social structure, not necessarily emotional closeness. In modern China, especially in urban areas, this traditional structure has weakened. It is very common for the maternal grandparents (外公 and 外婆) to be deeply involved in raising their grandchildren, sometimes even more so than the paternal grandparents. The emotional bond with one's 外公 can be just as strong, if not stronger, than with one's 爷爷. However, the linguistic distinction remains a fundamental part of the language that every learner must master. It's a living fossil of a past social structure that still shapes the language today.

外公 is a standard, widely understood term across all of China. It's neither overly formal nor overly casual.

• Direct Address: You can call out to him directly using the term, often with a friendly tone.
  • “外公！我们回来了！” (Wàigōng! Wǒmen huílái le!) - “Grandpa! We're back!”
• Referring to Him: It's the standard way to refer to your mother's father when speaking to anyone.
  • “这是我外公给我的礼物。” (Zhè shì wǒ wàigōng gěi wǒ de lǐwù.) - “This is a gift my grandpa gave me.”
• Regional Variation - 姥爷 (lǎoye): In Northern China (including Beijing), the term 姥爷 (lǎoye) is extremely common and often preferred over 外公. Both terms mean the exact same thing. If you're in the North, you'll hear 姥爷 more, but everyone everywhere will understand 外公. As a learner, using 外公 is always a safe and correct choice.

• Example 1:
  • 我每个周末都去看我的外公和外婆。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měi ge zhōumò dōu qù kàn wǒ de wàigōng hé wàipó.
  • English: I go to see my maternal grandfather and grandmother every weekend.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the common usage of referring to both maternal grandparents together.
• Example 2:
  • 外公，您身体好吗？
  • Pinyin: Wàigōng, nín shēntǐ hǎo ma?
  • English: Grandpa, how is your health?
  • Analysis: A classic example of using 外公 as a direct address. Note the use of 您 (nín), the polite form of “you,” to show respect for an elder.
• Example 3:
  • 我的外公是一名退休教师。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de wàigōng shì yī míng tuìxiū jiàoshī.
  • English: My maternal grandfather is a retired teacher.
  • Analysis: A simple, descriptive sentence used to introduce your grandfather's profession.
• Example 4:
  • 小时候，我外公经常给我讲故事。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎo shíhou, wǒ wàigōng jīngcháng gěi wǒ jiǎng gùshi.
  • English: When I was little, my grandpa often told me stories.
  • Analysis: This sentence establishes a fond memory, showing the term used in a context of warmth and nostalgia.
• Example 5:
  • 我长得很像我外公。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhǎng de hěn xiàng wǒ wàigōng.
  • English: I look a lot like my maternal grandfather.
  • Analysis: A common way to talk about family resemblance.
• Example 6:
  • 我爸爸的爸爸是爷爷，我妈妈的爸爸是外公。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bàba de bàba shì yéye, wǒ māma de bàba shì wàigōng.
  • English: My father's father is 'yeye', and my mother's father is 'waigong'.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect sentence for learners to memorize to solidify the distinction between the two types of grandfathers.
• Example 7:
  • 虽然我的外公住在很远的地方，我们还是经常视频聊天。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán wǒ de wàigōng zhù zài hěn yuǎn de dìfang, wǒmen háishì jīngcháng shìpín liáotiān.
  • English: Although my grandpa lives far away, we still video chat often.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects modern life and how families stay connected over distances.
• Example 8:
  • 这道菜是我跟外公学的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè dào cài shì wǒ gēn wàigōng xué de.
  • English: I learned how to make this dish from my grandpa.
  • Analysis: The structure “是…的” (shì…de) is used here to emphasize the person from whom the skill was learned.
• Example 9:
  • 外公的生日快到了，我们得准备一个惊喜。
  • Pinyin: Wàigōng de shēngrì kuài dào le, wǒmen děi zhǔnbèi yī ge jīngxǐ.
  • English: Grandpa's birthday is coming up, we have to prepare a surprise.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates future tense and planning related to a family event.
• Example 10:
  • 我外公今年八十岁了，但精神还很好。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ wàigōng jīnnián bāshí suì le, dàn jīngshén hái hěn hǎo.
  • English: My grandpa is 80 years old this year, but he is still in high spirits.
  • Analysis: “精神很好” (jīngshén hěn hǎo) is a very common and positive way to describe an elderly person's vitality.

• The #1 Mistake: Confusing 外公 (wàigōng) and 爷爷 (yéye).
  • English speakers are used to the single word “grandfather.” In Chinese, you must specify which side of the family. Using the wrong term is a major, though understandable, error.
  • Incorrect: 我今天去看我爸爸的外公。 (Wǒ jīntiān qù kàn wǒ bàba de wàigōng.)
  • Why it's wrong: This sentence literally says “I went to see my father's maternal grandfather” (i.e., your great-grandfather). If you mean your father's father, you must use 爷爷 (yéye).
  • Correct: 我今天去看我爷爷。 (Wǒ jīntiān qù kàn wǒ yéye.)
• 外公 (wàigōng) vs. 姥爷 (lǎoye)
  • This is not a mistake of meaning, but of regional use. They mean the same thing. 姥爷 (lǎoye) is very common in the North of China, while 外公 (wàigōng) is the standard term used and understood everywhere, especially in the South and in formal education. As a learner, sticking with 外公 is always correct.
• The “Grandfather” False Friend
  • Never directly translate “grandfather” without first asking: “Is this the father's father or the mother's father?” This mental check will prevent 99% of mistakes with this term.

• 外婆 (wàipó) - Maternal grandmother. The wife of your 外公.
• 爷爷 (yéye) - Paternal grandfather. The direct counterpart to 外公 on the father's side.
• 奶奶 (nǎinai) - Paternal grandmother. The wife of your 爷爷.
• 姥爷 (lǎoye) - A very common synonym for 外公, primarily used in Northern China.
• 姥姥 (lǎolao) - The Northern Chinese equivalent of 外婆 (wàipó).
• 外孙 (wàisūn) - Maternal grandson. This is what your 外公 would call his daughter's son.
• 外孙女 (wàisūnnǚ) - Maternal granddaughter. This is what your 外公 would call his daughter's daughter.
• 亲戚 (qīnqi) - The general term for “relatives,” which includes all grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.
• 长辈 (zhǎngbèi) - A respectful term for elders or those of an older generation. Your 外公 is one of your 长辈.