外公 (wàigōng) refers to one's maternal grandfather; use 外婆 when specifically talking about the grandmother.

Imagine a child running outside (外) to hug their grandmother (婆). The '外' part looks like a person stepping outside, while '婆' can remind you of a kind old lady. Together, they symbolize the loving relationship you have with your maternal grandmother.

When using 外婆, it's important to note that this term is informal and primarily used in spoken language. Avoid using it in formal writing or when referring to a grandmother on the paternal side, for which the term 祖母 (zǔmǔ) is more appropriate.

While 外婆 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to familial terms that are important at beginner levels. Students should focus on related family terms and practice using them in sentences to build context.

In Chinese culture, the maternal grandmother often plays a significant role in a child's upbringing, sometimes living with the family. This term reflects the deep respect and affection typically shown towards maternal elders.

Learners often confuse 外婆 with 祖母, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我的外婆住在我家' (My paternal grandmother lives in my house) is incorrect; it should be '我的祖母住在我家'.