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March 24, 2026
舅舅jiùjiu(jiu4jiu5)
舅舅 (jiùjiu) refers to a maternal uncle, specifically the brother of one's mother. This term is used informally to address or refer to one's mother's brother, and is commonly used in family contexts and conversations about relatives.
Frequency#6548DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, family relationships are emphasized, and the term 舅舅 reflects the importance of maternal connections. Family gatherings often involve uncles and aunts playing significant roles, showcasing the close-knit nature of familial ties.
Memory Tip
Imagine a jovial uncle ('舅舅') who always brings joy to family gatherings. The character 舅 has the radical for 'speech' (舌) inside it, suggesting that this uncle always has something to say, making him a lively presence at family events.
Meanings of 舅舅
jiùjiu(jiu4jiu5)
1mother's brother
2maternal uncle (informal)
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About 舅舅
舅舅Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6548Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 舅舅
Podcast: 舅舅
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AI Study Notes for 舅舅
Quick Contrast
舅舅 (jiùjiu) vs 叔叔 (shūshu): use 舅舅 for maternal uncle, while 叔叔 refers to paternal uncle.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a jovial uncle ('舅舅') who always brings joy to family gatherings. The character 舅 has the radical for 'speech' (舌) inside it, suggesting that this uncle always has something to say, making him a lively presence at family events.
Usage Notes
When using 舅舅, remember it's an informal term, so it's more appropriate in casual conversations rather than formal contexts. Be careful not to confuse it with 叔叔 (shūshu), which refers to a paternal uncle. Common collocations include '我的舅舅' (my maternal uncle).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 舅舅 connects well with other family-related vocabulary like 妈妈 (māma - mother) and 兄弟 (xiōngdì - brother). Focus on using it in sentences about family to reinforce your understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, family relationships are emphasized, and the term 舅舅 reflects the importance of maternal connections. Family gatherings often involve uncles and aunts playing significant roles, showcasing the close-knit nature of familial ties.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 舅舅 with 叔叔 (shūshu), which means paternal uncle. An example mistake would be saying '我的叔叔' (wǒ de shūshu) when referring to one's maternal uncle instead of '我的舅舅' (wǒ de jiùjiu).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 舅舅
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Cultural Notes for 舅舅
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, family relationships are emphasized, and the term 舅舅 reflects the importance of maternal connections. Family gatherings often involve uncles and aunts playing significant roles, showcasing the close-knit nature of familial ties.
Frequently Asked Questions about 舅舅
It is pronounced as jiùjiu, with the first syllable using the fourth tone and the second syllable using the fifth tone.
While 舅舅 is informal, there is no distinct formal term; the context usually dictates the level of formality.
No, 舅舅 specifically refers to one's maternal uncle; other relatives have different terms.
