Chinese word

保姆

Pronunciation

Pinyinbǎo mǔ

Meaning

  • nounnanny

Example

我们请了一个保姆照顾孩子。wǒ men qǐng le yí gè báo mǔ zhào gù hái zi

We hired a nanny to look after the children.

Illustration for 保姆 (nanny)

More examples

我们请了保姆上门做饭和清洁。wǒ men qǐng le báo mǔ shàng mén zuò fàn hé qīng jié

We hired a nanny to come over and cook and clean.

Core concept

A paid household worker entrusted with regular care, from looking after children to handling domestic tasks.

Common phrases

  • 住家保姆zhù jiā báo mǔ

    live-in nanny

  • 请保姆上门qǐng báo mǔ shàng mén

    hire a nanny to come over

  • 找保姆zhǎo báo mǔ

    look for a nanny

Similar words

钟点工zhōng diǎn gōng: A household worker hired for specific hours to do tasks such as cooking or cleaning.
阿姨ā yí: A warm, respectful term for a woman who provides household help or child care.
月嫂yuè sǎo: A trained worker who cares for a new mother and her baby after birth.
保育员bǎo yù yuán: A staff member at a nursery or day-care center who cares for children and helps them develop.

Definition in Chinese

受雇在家庭中照顾婴幼儿、料理家务或负责日常看护的人员。shòu gù zài jiā tíng zhōng zhào gù yīng yòu ér liào lǐ jiā wù huò fù zé rì cháng kān hù de rén yuán

Word origin

保 (bǎo, "protect") + 姆 (mǔ, "nursemaid") combines protection with traditional child care, giving the compound its household-care meaning.

Usage tips

  • The noun does not by itself say whether the worker lives with the family, so living arrangements are stated separately when relevant.

Other meanings

  • housekeepernoun
  • babysitternoun
  • maidnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 住家保姆zhù jiā báo mǔlive-in nannynoun
  • 养老保姆yáng lǎo báo mǔelderly-care nannynoun

Word lists with this word