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伯母 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
伯母bómǔwife of father's elder brotherHSK 7, nr, rank #17215, Hard
伯母bómǔauntHSK 7, nr, rank #17215, Hard
伯母bómǔ(polite form of address for a woman who is about the age of one's mother)HSK 7, nr, rank #17215, Hard
伯母bómǔ>个[gè]HSK 7, nr, rank #17215, Hard
bómǔ(bo2mu3) T2
  1. 1wife of father's elder brother
  2. 2aunt
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March 24, 2026
伯母bómǔ(bo2mu3)

伯母 (bó mǔ) refers to the wife of one's father's elder brother, commonly translated as 'aunt.' It is also used as a polite form of address for a woman who is around the same age as one's mother, conveying respect and familiarity. This term is frequently used in family gatherings and formal introductions.

Frequency#17215DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, family hierarchy and respect are significant, making 伯母 an important term for showing deference to older family members. This reflects the traditional values of filial piety and respect for elders.

Memory Tip

Imagine a kind, elderly woman (伯母) who brings a big bowl of soup (the 'bo' sounds like 'bowl') to a family reunion. Picture her as a nurturing figure, representing warmth and family ties, which helps connect the character to its meaning.

Meanings of 伯母

bómǔ(bo2mu3)
1wife of father's elder brother
2aunt
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 伯母

伯母Simplified
Strokes
Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#17215Frequency Rank
Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 伯母

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Podcast: 伯母

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AI Study Notes for 伯母

Quick Contrast

姑姑 (gūgu) refers to the sister of one's father, while 伯母 (bómǔ) specifically denotes the wife of one's father's elder brother.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a kind, elderly woman (伯母) who brings a big bowl of soup (the 'bo' sounds like 'bowl') to a family reunion. Picture her as a nurturing figure, representing warmth and family ties, which helps connect the character to its meaning.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 伯母 with 姑姑 (gū gū), which refers to the wife of one's father's younger brother. Remember that 伯母 is more formal and respectful, often used in family contexts. Be cautious with tones, as the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 伯母 connects with other family-related terms like 叔叔 (shū shu, uncle) and 姨妈 (yí mā, aunt). Focus on understanding how these familial terms are used in different contexts and practice using them in sentences.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, family hierarchy and respect are significant, making 伯母 an important term for showing deference to older family members. This reflects the traditional values of filial piety and respect for elders.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 伯母 with 姑姑 (gū gū), leading to incorrect references to family members. For example, saying '这是我的姑姑' (This is my aunt) when referring to 伯母 is incorrect; it should be '这是我的伯母.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 伯母

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Component Characters

one hundred (old)
7 strokes
View full entry
mother
HSK 65 strokes
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Write 伯母

Practice writing 伯母 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 伯母

伯母 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

文 纨 笑道: “ ____, 你有 辛楣 陪你,怕些什么!

Wen - wan said with a laugh, " Auntie , with Hsin - mei along, what are you afraid of!

Example Sentences for 伯母 (1)

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1
文 纨 笑道: “ 伯母, 你有 辛楣 陪你,怕些什么!

wén wán:“ xiào dào, : “ bó mǔ , nǐ yǒu, xīn méi!

Wen - wan said with a laugh, " Auntie , with Hsin - mei along, what are you afraid of!

Cultural Notes for 伯母

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, family hierarchy and respect are significant, making 伯母 an important term for showing deference to older family members. This reflects the traditional values of filial piety and respect for elders.

Frequently Asked Questions about 伯母

No, 伯母 specifically refers to the wife of your father's elder brother or a respectful term for a woman around your mother's age.