保姆
bǎomǔ
The English word "nanny" is translated into Chinese as 保姆 (bǎomǔ).
保姆 is used to refer to a nanny or a housekeeper. It describes domestic workers, whether they are live-in or live-out, who perform general household chores and childcare.
Meaning: child's nurse (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 保姆 is composed of 保, which means to protect or keep and 姆, a female noun used for maternal figures or nurses.
Which one should you use?
While 保姆 is a general term for a nanny or domestic worker, it is less specific than 育儿嫂 (yù'érsǎo), which refers specifically to a professional nanny specializing in childcare.
How do you pronounce it?
bǎomǔ
Did you know?
- While 保姆 is the standard term, some high-end households use the term 月嫂 (yuè sǎo) specifically for a 'month-sister' who cares for the mother and baby during the first 30 days after birth.
- The term 保姆 is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a person who over-functions or does everything for someone else, similar to 'helicopter parenting'.
- In modern urban China, many families use the term 阿姨 (āyí), meaning 'auntie', to address their nanny instead of the formal 保姆.
Examples in context
- 她是一位很好的保姆。Tā shì yī wèi hěn hǎo de bǎomǔ.She is a very good nanny.
- 我们需要找一个保姆。Wǒmen xūyào zhǎo yīgè bǎomǔ.We need to find a nanny.
- 保姆正在照顾孩子。Bǎomǔ zhèngzài zhàogù háizi.The nanny is looking after the child.
Example conversation
A couple is discussing childcare at home.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，我们需要请个保姆吗？Xiǎowén, wǒmen xūyào qǐng gè bǎomǔ ma?Xiaowen, do we need to hire a nanny?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我觉得我们需要一个保姆来照顾宝宝。Wǒ juédé wǒmen xūyào yīgè bǎomǔ lái zhàogù bǎobǎo.I think we need a nanny to look after the baby.
- 伟 Wei好，我明天就开始找保姆。Hǎo, wǒ míngtiān jiù kāishǐ zhǎo bǎomǔ.Okay, I will start looking for a nanny tomorrow.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen谢谢你，伟。Xièxiè nǐ, Wěi.Thank you, Wei.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nanny” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
