阿姨好
āyí hǎo
In Chinese, hello aunt is said as 阿姨好 (āyí hǎo).
阿姨好 is a polite greeting used when addressing an aunt or an older woman. While 阿姨 is a common social term for an older woman, it is distinct from 姑姑, which specifically refers to a paternal aunt.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 阿姨 (āyí), meaning 'aunt' and 好 (hǎo), meaning 'good'.
Which one should you use?
In informal contexts, 阿姨 is used to address someone slightly older than you who is close to your family, such as your parents' close friends. In contrast, 姑姑 is a familiar and affectionate way to address your father's sister and 姑妈 is used when referring to your father's sister.
How do you pronounce it?
āyí hǎo
Did you know?
- While 阿姨 is a common social title, it is also the standard term used to address domestic helpers or nannies in many households.
- Chinese kinship terms are so precise that there are different words for your mother's older sister and your mother's younger sister, unlike the single English word 'aunt'.
- While 阿姨 is used for older women, calling a woman 阿姨 when she is too young can be taken as a subtle insult regarding her age.
Examples in context
- 您好, 阿姨Hello, aunt.
- 嗨, 阿姨Hi, aunt.
- 阿姨好，您身体怎么样？Āyí hǎo, nín shēntǐ zěnmeyàng?Hello aunt, how is your health?
- 阿姨好，谢谢您的礼物。Āyí hǎo, xièxiè nín de lǐwù.Hello aunt, thank you for your gift.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang meets his friend's mother in the hallway.
- 志强 Zhiqiang阿姨好，我是志强。Āyí hǎo, wǒ shì Zhìqiáng.Hello, auntie, I am Zhiqiang.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你好，志强！Nǐ hǎo, Zhìqiáng!Hello, Zhiqiang!
- 志强 Zhiqiang晓雯在房间里吗？Xiǎowén zài fángjiān lǐ ma?Is Xiaowen in her room?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen在，你快进去吧。Zài, nǐ kuài jìnqù ba.Yes, go on in.
