伯母

• Pinyin: bó mǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 伯 = eldest/uncle; 母 = pictograph of a woman with breasts emphasized, meaning mother

Meaning

Aunt; wife of father's elder brother (formal). Also a polite address for older women.

The formal term for one's father's elder brother's wife. Also used to politely address the mother of one's spouse or close friend. More formal than 大妈 or other colloquial terms.

Examples

1. 伯母做的红烧肉是我小时候最爱吃的菜。 Auntie's braised pork was my favorite dish when I was little.
2. 过节时我们给伯父伯母带了一些礼物。 During the holiday, we brought some gifts for Uncle and Aunt.
3. 伯母身体不太好，最近一直在医院疗养。 Auntie hasn't been in great health and has been convalescing at the hospital lately.

Usage Guide

Context: family, formal address, respectful

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 伯母您好，我是小明的同学。(Hello, Auntie. I'm Xiaoming's classmate.)
• 请问伯母最近身体怎么样？(How has Auntie's health been lately?)

Don't Say

• 伯母，给我倒杯水。(Using 伯母 with such a casual command is rude — show more respect)

Origin & History

伯 (eldest brother, i.e., father's elder brother) + 母 (mother). Wife of father's elder brother.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal