elderly manservant; elderly handyman
Familiar term for an elderly male servant or handyman, often used in traditional or wealthy household settings. Conveys affection and familiarity, similar to 'old retainer'.
See also: ばあや
The elderly manservant of the mansion is tending the garden.
When I was a child, the old handyman often told me old tales.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji 爺 is considered difficult or overly formal.
Compound of 爺 (jii, 'old man') and the familiar suffix や (ya), used to express affection or familiarity toward an elderly male servant.