elderly housekeeper; elderly maid
Familiar term for an older female servant or housekeeper, often used as a form of address. Conveys affection and familiarity.
See also: 爺や
The elderly maid is preparing dinner in the kitchen.
Historical or literary term for a woman employed to breastfeed and care for a child. Now rare in modern usage.
"Nanny, could you bring me some tea?"
In old aristocratic households, a wet nurse took care of the children.
Kanji form is uncommon; kana spelling is preferred.
Derived from 婆 (ばあ, 'old woman') with the affectionate suffix や, similar to 爺や (じいや).