noun
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
ばあやが台所で夕食の準備をしている。
The elderly maid is preparing dinner in the kitchen.
「ばあや、お茶をお願い。」
"Nanny, could you bring me some tea?"
noun
Historical or literary term for a woman employed to breastfeed and care for a child. Now rare in modern usage.
昔の貴族の家では、ばあやが子供の世話をしていた。
In old aristocratic households, a wet nurse took care of the children.
Male counterpart: an elderly male servant or butler, also used as a familiar form of address.
Derived from 婆 (ばあ, 'old woman') with the affectionate suffix や, similar to 爺や (じいや).