HSK · Level 29
135 words
Chinese word
伯母
Pronunciation
Pinyinbó mǔ
Meaning
- nounaunt
Example
今天我要带孩子去看伯母。jīn tiān wǒ yào dài hái zi qù kàn bó mǔ
Today I am taking my child to see my aunt.
More examples
昨天我给伯母打电话，问她身体怎么样。zuó tiān wǒ gěi bó mǔ dǎ diàn huà wèn tā shēn tǐ zěn me yàng
Yesterday I called my aunt and asked how she was feeling.
Core concept
A family title that places a woman in the older-brother branch on the father's side.
Common phrases
给伯母打电话gěi bó mǔ dǎ diàn huà
call one's aunt
向伯母请教xiàng bó mǔ qǐng jiào
ask one's aunt for advice
介绍给伯母jiè shào gěi bó mǔ
introduce someone to one's aunt
Similar words
阿姨ā yí: A family title for one's mother's sister, also used when addressing her.
姑妈gū mā: A family title for one's father's sister, also used when addressing her.
舅妈jiù mā: A family title for one's mother's brother's wife, also used when addressing her.
婶婶shén shěn: A family title for one's father's younger brother's wife, also used when addressing her.
Definition in Chinese
父亲的哥哥的妻子的称谓，也用于称呼这位亲属。fù qīn dī gē gē de qī zǐ de chēng wèi yě yòng yú chēng hū zhè wèi qīn shǔ
Word origin
伯母 (bómǔ, "wife of one's father's elder brother") combines 伯 (bó, "father's elder brother") with 母 (mǔ, "mother"), using a mother term as a respectful title for that uncle's wife.
Usage tips
- English usually says aunt without showing whether the relative is on the father's or mother's side, so this word makes that family connection clear.