嬸 (shěn) - Aunt — specifically refers to a paternal aunt & also used more generally for middle-aged women.

嬸Tone 3

shěn ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

嬸 · shěn

Aunt — specifically refers to a paternal aunt (wife of father's younger brother);

also used more generally for middle-aged women.

Aunt — specifically refers to a paternal auntalso used more generally for middle-aged women.

Usage highlights

AuntPaternal auntAunt and uncleAunt's familyElders like auntsAunt's child

Synonyms

  • 嬸嬸— Aunt (affectionate form)
  • 嬸母— Paternal aunt (formal)
  • 阿姨— Aunt (more general term)

Antonyms

  • 叔— Uncle (paternal, husband of 嬸)
  • 伯母— Wife of father's elder brother

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • My aunt (嬸嬸) is coming to visit.
  • She is my father's younger brother's wife (嬸母).
  • The neighbor auntie (阿姨嬸嬸) is very kind.
  • He greeted his aunt respectfully (向嬸嬸問好).

Collocations

  • Aunt(嬸嬸)
  • Paternal aunt(嬸母)
  • Aunt and uncle(嬸叔)
  • Aunt's family(嬸家)
  • Elders like aunts(嬸輩)
  • Aunt's child(嬸子)

Idioms

  • Respect elders as if they were your own aunts and uncles(敬叔如嬸)
  • Aunt's diligent household management(嬸勤家旺)
  • The virtue of an aunt(嬸德)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese kinship systems, 嬸 specifically denotes the wife of father's younger brother, reflecting the importance of paternal lineage.
  • The term carries respectful connotations toward elder female relatives in the family hierarchy.
  • In some regions, 嬸嬸 is used as a polite term for middle-aged women beyond direct family relations.

FAQ