大妈

• 拼音: dà mā
• 汉字拆解: 大 = pictograph of a person with arms spread; 妈 = 女 (woman) + 马 (horse, phonetic)

含义

Auntie; middle-aged or older woman. A familiar address for women of one's parents' or grandparents' generation.

Originally means father's elder brother's wife, but now widely used as a casual address for middle-aged to elderly women, especially in northern China. Can be affectionate or mildly humorous. The term 中国大妈 has become a cultural phenomenon referring to energetic, outspoken older women known for square dancing and group activities.

例句

1. 小区里的大妈们每天晚上都在广场上跳舞。
2. 大妈，这个西瓜怎么卖？
3. 隔壁的大妈人很热心，经常帮我们照看孩子。

用法指南

语境: everyday, community, market

语气: friendly

正确说法

• 大妈，您好！今天天气真好。(Hello, auntie! The weather is really nice today.)
• 大妈做的饭特别好吃。(The food auntie makes is especially delicious.)

错误说法

• 对还很年轻的女性说大妈 (Don't call a young or middle-aged woman 大妈 — it implies she is elderly and could be very offensive; use 阿姨 or 姐姐 instead)

起源与历史

大 (big/eldest) + 妈 (mother/ma) — originally addressed the wife of one's father's elder brother, extended to a general address for older women.

文化背景

世代: Middle-aged and older

社会背景: Universal