aa3 sam2阿嬸阿婶
Definition
One's aunt, specifically the wife of father's younger brother; also used to address middle-aged women.
- wife of one's father's younger brother
- polite or casual form of address for a middle-aged woman
How it's used
Beyond the literal kinship term for an uncle's wife, this is frequently used as a generic, slightly informal way to address or refer to middle-aged women in public settings like markets or restaurants. While it can be friendly, using it to address a stranger can sometimes come across as dismissive or rude depending on the tone and the person's actual age. It carries a stronger sense of age-based categorization than simply using a name or a title like小姐.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to address a woman who is clearly younger than you, as it can be perceived as an insult regarding her appearance or age. It is safer to use terms like姐姐 if you are unsure of the person's age.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
