伯 (bó) - Eldest brother & uncle

伯Tone 2

bó ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 亻

傲不

伯 · bó

Eldest brother;

uncle;

father's elder brother;

earl;

count (nobility title);

used in historical and familial terms.

Eldest brotherunclefather's elder brother

Usage highlights

UncleEarl/CountFather's elder brotherEldest brotherSpring and Autumn HegemonsAunt

Synonyms

  • 叔— uncle (father's younger brother)
  • 兄— elder brother
  • 舅— uncle (maternal)

Antonyms

  • 仲— second brother (in birth order)
  • 季— youngest brother

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • My uncle (伯伯) came to visit.
  • He is the eldest brother (伯兄) in the family.
  • The earl (伯爵) attended the ceremony.
  • This is from the Spring and Autumn period (春秋五霸).

Collocations

  • Uncle(伯伯)
  • Earl/Count(伯爵)
  • Father's elder brother(伯父)
  • Eldest brother(伯兄)
  • Spring and Autumn Hegemons(春秋五霸)
  • Uncle (paternal)(伯父)

Idioms

  • Indistinguishable superiority(不分伯仲)
  • The hegemon of the feudal lords(称霸诸侯)
  • A tyrant usurping power(伯王之道)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically used as a nobility title (earl/count) in feudal China.
  • Represents the eldest brother in the traditional sibling order system (伯仲叔季).
  • Associated with hegemons (霸) during the Spring and Autumn period.

FAQ