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A2 noun #7,000 most common 11 min read

舅妈

jiùmā Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 舅妈 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 舅妈 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are learning basic family members like 'mother' (妈妈) and 'father' (爸爸). '舅妈' (jiùmā) is a slightly more advanced family word but very important for describing your extended family. Think of it as 'Aunt' – specifically the wife of your mother's brother. At this stage, you just need to know that she is a woman in your family. You use this word to introduce her: '这是我舅妈' (This is my jiùmā). You don't need to worry about the complex family tree yet; just remember she is on your mother's side. If you go to a Chinese person's house and see an older woman who isn't the mother or grandmother, she might be the 舅妈. Practice saying the tones: 'jiù' (falling) and 'mā' (flat). It's a friendly word used to show you know who people are in the family.

At the A2 level, you should understand that Chinese has many different words for 'aunt'. '舅妈' (jiùmā) is the one you use for your mother's brother's wife. You will use this word when talking about family gatherings or holidays. For example, '我舅妈家很大' (My maternal aunt-in-law's house is very big). You should also know how to use it as a title. Instead of saying 'Hello, Mrs. Wang,' you say '舅妈，你好!' (Hello, Aunt!). At this level, you can start adding simple descriptions, like '舅妈做的菜很好吃' (The food my maternal aunt-in-law makes is delicious). You are moving from just identifying her to describing your relationship and her actions. Remember, she is a 'maternal' relative, which in Chinese culture often means she is part of your 'outer' family (外亲).

At the B1 level, you can use '舅妈' (jiùmā) in more complex sentences and understand the social expectations surrounding the term. You might discuss family traditions, such as visiting your 舅妈 during the Spring Festival. You should be able to distinguish her from other aunts like '姨妈' (yímā - mother's sister) or '婶婶' (shěnshen - father's younger brother's wife). At this stage, you understand that using the correct kinship term is a sign of respect and cultural fluency. You can use '舅妈' in stories or when explaining family dynamics: '虽然舅妈和妈妈偶尔有分歧，但她们感情很好' (Although my maternal aunt-in-law and my mother occasionally have disagreements, they have a good relationship). You also understand that if your mother has three brothers, you would call their wives 大舅妈 (dà jiùmā), 二舅妈 (èr jiùmā), and so on.

At the B2 level, you are aware of the cultural nuances and historical context of the term '舅妈' (jiùmā). You understand the concept of '舅权' (the authority of the maternal uncle) and how the 舅妈 fits into this traditional power structure. You can use the word in discussions about social changes in China, such as how the one-child policy has made these specific kinship terms less common in younger generations. You can handle more abstract sentences: '舅妈在这个家庭里扮演着调和者的角色' (My maternal aunt-in-law plays the role of a mediator in this family). You also recognize the formal version '舅母' (jiùmǔ) in literature and know that while 'jiùmā' is colloquial, it is the standard for spoken interaction. Your use of the word reflects an understanding of the 'Li' (propriety) that defines Chinese interpersonal relationships.

At the C1 level, your use of '舅妈' (jiùmā) is natural and culturally grounded. You can use the word to navigate complex social situations, understanding when to use it as a term of endearment and when it serves as a formal boundary. You can analyze the etymology of the characters—'舅' (jiù) containing the '臼' (mortar) and '男' (man) components in some historical forms, and how it relates to the maternal lineage. You can discuss the word in the context of inheritance laws or traditional wedding customs where the 舅舅 and 舅妈 have specific ceremonial duties. You might also explore how the term is used in regional literature (like the works of Lu Xun or Ba Jin) to depict the 'traditional family' (大家族) and the specific pressures or roles assigned to the women who marry into the maternal line.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '舅妈' (jiùmā) and its place in the vast web of Chinese kinship. You can discuss the linguistic evolution of the term from Old Chinese to the modern day. You can engage in academic debates about the 'Maternal Uncle' complex in Chinese anthropology and the specific sociological role of the 'Aunt-in-law' as a bridge between two different surnames (姓). You understand the subtle shifts in tone or usage that might indicate family tension or extreme closeness. You can translate complex literary passages involving kinship terms into English, capturing the nuance that 'aunt' fails to convey. You are also aware of how modern legal definitions of 'relative' in the PRC compare to traditional kinship terms like 舅妈 in matters of property and custody.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

舅妈 in 30 Seconds

舅妈 (jiùmā) means the wife of your mother's brother (maternal aunt-in-law).
It is a specific kinship term, unlike the broad English word 'aunt'.
Used as both a title (direct address) and a descriptive noun for family.
Essential for navigating Chinese family gatherings and showing proper respect to elders.

The Chinese word 舅妈 (jiùmā) is a specific kinship term that identifies the wife of one's maternal uncle (one's mother's brother). In English, the word 'aunt' serves as a broad umbrella term covering both blood relatives and relatives by marriage on both the maternal and paternal sides. However, Chinese culture places a high premium on precise genealogical placement, and jiùmā is the unique identifier for this specific role. This precision is not merely linguistic; it reflects the historical 'Li' (礼) or ritual propriety that governs Chinese social structures. When you use the word jiùmā, you are immediately signaling several pieces of information: the person is female, she is related to you through your mother's side of the family, and she entered the family through marriage to your mother's brother.

Kinship Category: Affinal Maternal Relative (Mother's side, by marriage).
Social Hierarchy: Elder generation relative; requires respect and specific honorific address.
Reciprocal Term: She refers to you as 外甥 (wàisheng - nephew) or 外甥女 (wàishengnǚ - niece).

In practical usage, jiùmā is used both as a term of address (vocative) and as a descriptive noun. If you are visiting your maternal uncle's house, you would greet his wife directly as "舅妈!" instead of using her name. Using a name for an elder is considered quite rude in Chinese culture. In modern urban settings, the relationship with one's jiùmā can vary from formal to very close, often depending on how frequently the families interact. Historically, the maternal uncle (舅舅) held a position of significant authority in his sister's children's lives—sometimes even acting as a mediator in family disputes or a guest of honor at weddings. Consequently, the jiùmā often shared in this elevated status within the extended family network.

过年的时候，我们要去给舅妈拜年。(During the New Year, we need to go and give New Year greetings to my maternal aunt-in-law.)

The term consists of two characters: 舅 (jiù), which specifically refers to a maternal uncle, and 妈 (mā), which means mother or is used for female elders. Together, they create a title that is warm yet respectful. In some southern dialects or Cantonese, you might hear variations like 妗母 (jìnmǔ), but jiùmā remains the standard Mandarin term used across most of China. Understanding this word is a gateway to understanding the 'Maternal' (外) vs. 'Paternal' (内/宗) distinction that is foundational to Chinese family law and tradition. Even in the 21st century, these titles persist because they provide a clear map of one's social landscape and obligations.

我的舅妈是一名医生，她非常温柔。(My maternal aunt-in-law is a doctor; she is very gentle.)

Using 舅妈 (jiùmā) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun that occupies the 'subject' or 'object' position in a sentence, as well as its function as a direct address. Because Chinese is a pro-drop language (where the subject is often omitted if understood), you might simply say "舅妈好" (Hello, Aunt) when entering a room. Grammatically, it functions just like 'mother' or 'father' in English sentences, but its cultural weight changes the pragmatics of the sentence. For instance, when asking for a favor, the title is often repeated to show affection and respect.

As a Subject: 舅妈送了我一个生日礼物。(My maternal aunt-in-law gave me a birthday present.)
As an Object: 我很喜欢我的舅妈。(I like my maternal aunt-in-law very much.)
As a Possessive: 这是舅妈的家。(This is my maternal aunt-in-law's house.)

One interesting aspect of using jiùmā is how it interacts with the possessive '我的' (wǒ de - my). In Chinese, for close family members, '的' is often omitted. You will frequently hear '我舅妈' (wǒ jiùmā) instead of '我的舅妈'. This omission signifies a closer, more intimate relationship. Furthermore, when talking to cousins (the children of your maternal uncle), you might refer to her as '你妈' (your mom) or '咱妈' (our mom - if you are very close), but when speaking to anyone else, jiùmā remains the mandatory identifier. If you have multiple maternal uncles, the use of numerical prefixes is essential for clarity.

二舅妈做的红烧肉是全家最好吃的。(The braised pork made by my second maternal aunt-in-law is the best in the whole family.)

In more formal or literary contexts, you might see the term 舅母 (jiùmǔ). While jiùmā is the colloquial, spoken standard, jiùmǔ appears in books or formal introductions. However, for 99% of daily interactions, jiùmā is the correct choice. It is also worth noting that in Chinese, you do not pluralize nouns with an 's'. To say 'maternal aunts-in-law,' you would say '舅妈们' (jiùmāmén) or specify which ones you mean. The word is incredibly versatile but strictly bound by the maternal lineage. You could never use this word for your father's brother's wife (who is a 婶婶 shěnshen) or your mother's sister (who is an 姨妈 yímā).

我和舅妈在商场偶遇了。(I ran into my maternal aunt-in-law at the mall by chance.)

You will encounter 舅妈 (jiùmā) most frequently in the context of the 'Lunar New Year' (Spring Festival) or other major family reunions like the Mid-Autumn Festival. In China, these holidays involve a massive migration of people returning to their hometowns. During these gatherings, the air is filled with kinship terms as children are prompted by their parents to 'call' (喊/叫) their relatives. You'll hear parents saying, "快叫舅妈!" (Quickly, greet your aunt!). This environment is where the word is most active, serving as a social lubricant that reinforces family bonds and hierarchy.

Family Dramas: In Chinese TV shows (C-Dramas), 'jiùmā' characters often represent the complexities of in-law relationships, sometimes portrayed as the supportive confidante of the mother or sometimes as a source of family tension.
Daily Gossip: Adults chatting about family affairs: "你舅妈最近身体怎么样?" (How has your maternal aunt-in-law's health been lately?).

Another common place to hear the word is in nostalgic literature or essays about childhood. Many Chinese writers reflect on summers spent at their maternal grandparents' house (外公外婆家), where the jiùmā is often remembered for her cooking or for taking care of the cousins. Because the maternal side is often seen as slightly more relaxed than the paternal side (which carries the weight of the family name and strict ancestral duties), the relationship with a jiùmā is sometimes depicted as warmer and less burdened by patriarchal expectations.

他在电话里问候了舅舅和舅妈。(He sent greetings to his maternal uncle and aunt-in-law over the phone.)

In urban China today, as families become smaller due to the legacy of the one-child policy, the number of people who actually have a jiùmā is decreasing. This makes the term somewhat precious. You might also hear it in a metaphorical or respectful sense in some rural communities where neighbors are so close they use kinship terms, though jiùmā is usually reserved for actual relatives. If you are learning Chinese and visiting a Chinese family, being able to correctly identify the jiùmā among a sea of relatives will earn you significant 'face' (面子) and show that you truly understand the nuances of the culture.

听妈妈说，舅妈以前是个舞蹈老师。(I heard from mom that my maternal aunt-in-law used to be a dance teacher.)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make when using 舅妈 (jiùmā) is the 'Auntie Overload.' Because English uses 'aunt' for four different biological/legal relationships, learners often default to the first word they learned (usually 'Ayi' or 'Guma') for everyone. Using jiùmā for your father's sister is a major faux pas. Your father's sister is your gūma (姑妈). If you call her jiùmā, you are essentially telling her she belongs to your mother's family, which can be confusing or even offensive in traditional contexts where lineage is strictly guarded.

Mistake 1: Using it for Mother's Sister: Your mother's sister is your 姨妈 (yímā). A 舅妈 is a relative by marriage (uncle's wife), while an 姨妈 is a blood relative.
Mistake 2: Using it for Paternal Uncle's Wife: Your father's brother's wife is your 婶婶 (shěnshen). Confusing the maternal and paternal sides is a sign of 'kinship illiteracy' in Chinese.

Another common error involves the tones. Jiù is 4th tone (falling), and mā is 1st tone (high level). If you mispronounce jiù as jiǔ (3rd tone), it sounds like 'wine' (酒), making the word sound like 'Wine Mom.' While usually corrected by context, clear tones are necessary for respect. Furthermore, learners often forget that jiùmā is an elder. You should never call her by her first name, even if she is close to your age. In Western culture, an aunt might say "Just call me Sarah," but in China, even if she says it, continuing to use the title jiùmā is usually the safer and more polite path.

别把舅妈和姨妈搞混了，她们一个是舅舅的妻子，一个是妈妈的姐妹。(Don't confuse 'jiùmā' and 'yímā'; one is the maternal uncle's wife, the other is the mother's sister.)

Finally, there's the mistake of using jiùmā for a generic older woman. In English, you might call a close family friend 'Auntie.' In Chinese, this generic role is filled by āyí (阿姨). Jiùmā is strictly reserved for family. If you call a random woman jiùmā, she will be very confused and might ask you who your mother is! Always remember: jiùmā implies a specific branch on the family tree. If there's no maternal uncle (舅舅), there can be no jiùmā.

虽然舅妈只比我大十岁，我还是得尊重她。(Even though my maternal aunt-in-law is only ten years older than me, I still must respect her.)

To truly master the use of 舅妈 (jiùmā), one must understand the constellation of other 'aunt' terms in Chinese. The language differentiates based on two primary factors: 1) Is the relative on the mother's or father's side? 2) Is the relative a blood relation or related by marriage? This creates a grid of terms that English simply collapses into 'aunt.' Comparing these terms helps clarify when jiùmā is the only correct choice.

舅妈 (jiùmā) vs. 姨妈 (yímā): Both are on the maternal side. However, 舅妈 is your mother's brother's wife (marriage), while 姨妈 is your mother's sister (blood).
舅妈 (jiùmā) vs. 婶婶 (shěnshen): Both are related by marriage. However, 舅妈 is maternal (mother's brother's wife), while 婶婶 is paternal (father's younger brother's wife).
舅妈 (jiùmā) vs. 姑妈 (gūmā): 舅妈 is maternal/marriage; 姑妈 is paternal/blood (father's sister).

In certain regional dialects, you might encounter alternatives. In Cantonese, the equivalent is 'Kam' (妗). In some northern dialects, you might hear 'Da Niang' (大娘) used for a variety of elder women, but jiùmā remains the most precise and standard term in Mandarin. There's also the term 舅母 (jiùmǔ), which is the formal, written version. You would use jiùmǔ in a biography or a formal wedding invitation, but it sounds a bit too stiff for a casual Sunday dinner. If you want to be more affectionate, you might double the first character for a child-like tone: '舅妈' is already doubled in a sense, but some kids just say 'Mā' (if they are very close) or stick to the full title.

在我的家族里，舅妈和姑妈的关系非常好。(In my family, the maternal aunt-in-law and paternal aunt get along very well.)

Another word often confused by beginners is 阿姨 (āyí). While āyí literally means 'mother's sister' (short for 姨妈), it has evolved into a generic term for any woman of one's mother's generation. If you see a woman on the street and need to ask for directions, you call her āyí. But you should never call your actual jiùmā just 'āyí' if you know the specific relationship, as it's less personal and ignores the specific family tie. Using the specific term jiùmā honors her role as the wife of the 舅舅, a key figure in the family hierarchy.

比起舅妈，我更经常见到我的姨妈。(Compared to my maternal aunt-in-law, I see my maternal aunt more often.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, the 'maternal uncle' (舅) was so important that the word for 'father-in-law' was often the same, because of the tradition of cross-cousin marriage (marrying your mother's brother's daughter).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒjuː mɑː/

US /dʒju moʊ/

Stress is on the first syllable 'jiù', with the second 'mā' slightly lighter but maintaining its high tone.

Rhymes With

旧 (jiù) 救 (jiù) 就 (jiù) 妈 (mā) 花 (huā) 家 (jiā) 刷 (shuā) 趴 (pā)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jiu' as 'joo' (missing the 'i' glide).
Using the 3rd tone 'jiǔ' (wine) instead of the 4th tone 'jiù'.
Pronouncing 'ma' with a falling tone (making it sound like 'scold').
Forgetting that tones are essential for distinguishing meaning in this word.
Treating the two characters as separate words rather than a single title.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are moderately complex but common.

Writing 3/5

Writing '舅' requires attention to stroke order and the '臼' component.

Speaking 2/5

Tones are the main challenge; 'jiù' must fall sharply.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognized in family contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

妈妈 (māma) 哥哥 (gēge) 弟弟 (dìdi) 舅舅 (jiùjiu)

Learn Next

姨妈 (yímā) 婶婶 (shěnshen) 姑妈 (gūmā) 表哥 (biǎogē)

Advanced

姻亲 (yīnqīn) 嫡亲 (díqīn) 辈分 (bèifen) 宗亲 (zōngqīn) 外戚 (wàiqī)

Grammar to Know

Omission of '的' for kinship terms

我舅妈 (Wǒ jiùmā) instead of 我的舅妈 (Wǒ de jiùmā).

Numerical prefixes for relatives

大舅妈 (Dà jiùmā), 二舅妈 (Èr jiùmā).

Kinship terms as vocatives

Calling her '舅妈' directly instead of 'Mrs. Wang'.

Pluralizing with '们'

舅妈们 (Jiùmāmén) - used when referring to multiple maternal aunts-in-law.

Adjectival predicates with '很'

舅妈很亲切 (Jiùmā hěn qīnqiè).

Examples by Level

这是我的舅妈。

This is my maternal aunt-in-law.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object structure using the possessive '的'.

舅妈，你好！

Hello, Aunt!

Using the kinship term as a direct address (vocative).

我爱舅妈。

I love my maternal aunt-in-law.

Basic SVO sentence with a transitive verb.

舅妈在笑。

Maternal aunt-in-law is laughing.

Present continuous action using '在'.

舅妈有三个孩子。

Maternal aunt-in-law has three children.

Using '有' to show possession/family relations.

舅妈很漂亮。

Maternal aunt-in-law is very beautiful.

Adjectival predicate using '很' as a linker.

我去舅妈家。

I am going to my maternal aunt-in-law's house.

Directional sentence omitting '的' for a close relative.

那是你舅妈吗？

Is that your maternal aunt-in-law?

Simple yes/no question using '吗'.

舅妈做的菜很好吃。

The food my maternal aunt-in-law makes is delicious.

Relative clause using '做的' to describe the noun '菜'.

我的舅妈住在上海。

My maternal aunt-in-law lives in Shanghai.

Using '住在' to indicate residence.

舅妈送我一个新书包。

Maternal aunt-in-law gave me a new schoolbag.

Double object verb '送' (give as a gift).

我想给舅妈打电话。

I want to give my maternal aunt-in-law a phone call.

Using '给...打电话' structure.

舅妈比妈妈年轻。

Maternal aunt-in-law is younger than mom.

Comparison structure using '比'.

舅妈在商店买衣服。

Maternal aunt-in-law is buying clothes at the store.

Location '在' before the verb '买'.

这是舅妈的猫。

This is my maternal aunt-in-law's cat.

Possessive '的' used for an animal.

舅妈明天来我家。

Maternal aunt-in-law is coming to my house tomorrow.

Time word '明天' placed before the verb.

我和舅妈的关系一直很亲密。

The relationship between me and my maternal aunt-in-law has always been very close.

Using '的关系' to discuss interpersonal bonds.

舅妈建议我大学学习医学。

Maternal aunt-in-law suggested that I study medicine in college.

Using the verb '建议' (suggest) with a clause.

每逢过年，舅妈都会准备很多年货。

Every New Year, my maternal aunt-in-law always prepares a lot of holiday goods.

Using '每逢...都' to indicate a regular habit.

虽然舅妈很忙，但她总是关心我的学习。

Although my maternal aunt-in-law is busy, she always cares about my studies.

Conjunction pair '虽然...但' (although... but).

舅妈不但聪明，而且非常勤劳。

Maternal aunt-in-law is not only smart but also very diligent.

Correlative conjunction '不但...而且' (not only... but also).

听说舅妈要去北京出差。

I heard that my maternal aunt-in-law is going to Beijing on a business trip.

Using '听说' (I heard) to introduce reported information.

舅妈教我怎么做饺子。

Maternal aunt-in-law taught me how to make dumplings.

Verb '教' (teach) with a 'how-to' clause.

我给舅妈买了一件漂亮的旗袍。

I bought a beautiful cheongsam for my maternal aunt-in-law.

Using '给' as a preposition for the beneficiary of an action.

舅妈在家庭聚会中总是扮演着核心角色。

Maternal aunt-in-law always plays a central role in family gatherings.

Using '扮演...角色' (play a role).

由于舅妈是医生，家里人病了都会咨询她。

Since my maternal aunt-in-law is a doctor, family members consult her whenever they are sick.

Using '由于' (due to) to express cause.

舅妈对中国传统文化有着深厚的了解。

Maternal aunt-in-law has a deep understanding of traditional Chinese culture.

Using '对...有着...的了解' (have an understanding of...).

尽管舅妈已经退休了，她依然非常活跃。

Even though my maternal aunt-in-law has retired, she is still very active.

Using '尽管...依然' (despite... still).

舅妈的性格非常开朗，深受大家的喜爱。

Maternal aunt-in-law's personality is very cheerful, and she is deeply loved by everyone.

Passive structure '深受...的喜爱' (deeply receive the love of...).

舅妈常常跟我们分享她年轻时的奋斗故事。

Maternal aunt-in-law often shares stories of her struggles when she was young.

Using '跟...分享' (share with...).

为了给舅妈庆生，全家人都聚在了一起。

In order to celebrate my maternal aunt-in-law's birthday, the whole family gathered together.

Purpose clause starting with '为了' (in order to).

舅妈认为教育是改变命运的唯一途径。

Maternal aunt-in-law believes that education is the only way to change one's destiny.

Using '认为' (to think/believe) to express an opinion.

舅妈那代人经历了中国社会的巨大变迁。

My maternal aunt-in-law's generation experienced the massive transformations of Chinese society.

Using '那代人' (that generation) as a collective subject.

舅妈以她的宽容和智慧化解了家庭内部的矛盾。

Maternal aunt-in-law resolved internal family conflicts with her tolerance and wisdom.

Using '以...化解' (resolve using...).

在舅妈的熏陶下，我也开始对京剧产生了兴趣。

Under my maternal aunt-in-law's influence, I also began to develop an interest in Peking Opera.

Using '在...的熏陶下' (under the edification/influence of...).

舅妈不仅操持家务，在事业上也颇有成就。

Maternal aunt-in-law not only managed the household but also had considerable achievements in her career.

Using '颇有' (quite a lot of) to indicate degree.

舅妈总是能洞察到别人不易察觉的情绪变化。

Maternal aunt-in-law is always able to perceive emotional changes that others find hard to notice.

Complex noun phrase '不易察觉的情绪变化'.

舅妈对我的影响是潜移默化的。

My maternal aunt-in-law's influence on me is subtle and cumulative.

Using the idiom '潜移默化' as a predicate.

舅妈虽然是外姓人，但早已完全融入了我们家。

Although my maternal aunt-in-law has a different surname, she fully integrated into our family long ago.

Using '外姓人' to discuss traditional kinship concepts.

舅妈的坚韧不拔是全家人学习的榜样。

Maternal aunt-in-law's perseverance is a model for the whole family to learn from.

Using '...是...的榜样' (is a model of...).

舅妈的言谈举止间流露出一种大家闺秀的风范。

My maternal aunt-in-law's speech and behavior reveal the demeanor of a lady from a prominent family.

Using '言谈举止' (speech and behavior) and '流露出' (reveal).

在那个动荡的年代，舅妈凭借一己之力撑起了整个家。

In those turbulent times, my maternal aunt-in-law supported the entire family single-handedly.

Using '凭借一己之力' (relying on one's own strength).

舅妈对于家族史的记忆，如同一本活着的百科全书。

Maternal aunt-in-law's memory of the family history is like a living encyclopedia.

Metaphorical usage comparing memory to a book.

舅妈对人情世故的练达，常令我感到自愧不如。

Maternal aunt-in-law's mastery of the ways of the world often makes me feel inferior by comparison.

Using '人情世故' (worldly wisdom) and '自愧不如' (feel ashamed of being inferior).

舅妈那种不卑不亢的态度，赢得了所有人的尊重。

Maternal aunt-in-law's attitude, neither supercilious nor obsequious, won everyone's respect.

Using the idiom '不卑不亢'.

舅妈在文学创作中，常以女性视角审视家族伦理。

In her literary creations, my maternal aunt-in-law often examines family ethics from a female perspective.

Using '审视' (examine/scrutinize) in an academic sense.

舅妈晚年致力于慈善事业，其精神令人感佩。

In her later years, my maternal aunt-in-law devoted herself to charity, and her spirit is admirable.

Using '致力于' (devote oneself to) and '感佩' (admire with gratitude).

舅妈对古典诗词的造诣极深，常与我切磋琴棋书画。

Maternal aunt-in-law's attainment in classical poetry is very deep; she often discusses the four arts with me.

Using '造诣' (attainment) and '切磋' (discuss and learn from each other).

Common Collocations

亲爱的舅妈

二舅妈

去舅妈家

给舅妈拜年

送舅妈礼物

舅妈的关心

年轻的舅妈

热情的舅妈

舅妈的拿手菜

远方的舅妈

Common Phrases

舅妈，您辛苦了

— A polite phrase used to thank her for her hard work, especially after cooking.

吃完饭后，我对舅妈说：‘舅妈，您辛苦了！’

听舅妈的话

— To listen to/obey the maternal aunt-in-law.

在舅妈家住的时候，你要听舅妈的话。

舅妈好

— A standard greeting: 'Hello, Aunt'.

一进门我就大声喊：‘舅妈好！’

舅舅舅妈

— The couple; maternal uncle and his wife.

舅舅舅妈感情一直很好。

找舅妈帮忙

— To seek help from the maternal aunt-in-law.

你可以找舅妈帮忙，她是这方面的专家。

舅妈过奖了

— A humble response when she praises you.

舅妈夸我聪明，我说：‘舅妈过奖了。’

看望舅妈

— To visit the maternal aunt-in-law.

我们打算这周日去医院看望舅妈。

舅妈的建议

— Advice given by the maternal aunt-in-law.

我最终采纳了舅妈的建议。

舅妈的笑声

— The sound of her laughter, often implying a happy home.

屋子里充满了舅妈的笑声。

舅妈的为人

— Her character or the way she conducts herself.

舅妈的为人一直深受邻居称赞。

Often Confused With

舅妈 vs 姨妈 (yímā)

Mother's sister (blood relative). 舅妈 is mother's brother's wife (marriage).

舅妈 vs 婶婶 (shěnshen)

Father's younger brother's wife. 舅妈 is on the mother's side.

舅妈 vs 姑妈 (gūmā)

Father's sister (blood relative).

Idioms & Expressions

"舅妈看外甥，越看越喜欢"

— A common saying suggesting that maternal aunts-in-law tend to be very fond of their nephews.

真是‘舅妈看外甥，越看越喜欢’，她对他好极了。

Colloquial

"天上雷公，地上海舅"

— While focusing on the uncle (舅), it implies the high status of the maternal side, including the 舅妈.

民间有‘天上雷公，地上海舅’的说法，足见舅家的地位。

Proverbial

"长辈如母"

— Elder female relatives are like mothers; often applied to a close 舅妈.

舅妈对我照顾有加，真是长辈如母。

Literary

"六亲不认"

— To disown all relatives; including the 舅妈.

他现在变得六亲不认，连舅妈都不理了。

Common

"尊老爱幼"

— Respect the old and love the young; the basic rule for treating a 舅妈.

我们要尊老爱幼，对舅妈要有礼貌。

Moral Code

"礼尚往来"

— Courtesy demands reciprocity; used when exchanging gifts with 舅妈.

舅妈送我礼物，我也回礼，这是礼尚往来。

Formal

"欢聚一堂"

— Gather together happily; often used when the whole family, including 舅妈, meets.

过年时，全家人欢聚一堂，舅妈也来了。

Idiomatic

"其乐融融"

— A scene of joy and harmony; describing a family gathering with 舅妈.

全家人围坐在一起，其乐融融，舅妈讲了很多笑话。

Idiomatic

"嘘寒问暖"

— To inquire after someone's well-being; what a kind 舅妈 does.

舅妈对我嘘寒问暖，让我感到很温暖。

Idiomatic

"视如己出"

— To treat someone like one's own child; used when a 舅妈 is very loving.

舅妈对我视如己出，我非常感激她。

Idiomatic

Easily Confused

舅妈 vs 阿姨 (āyí)

Both mean 'aunt' in English.

阿姨 is generic or for mother's sister; 舅妈 is specific for maternal uncle's wife.

你可以叫邻居阿姨，但不能叫她舅妈。

舅妈 vs 舅母 (jiùmǔ)

They have the same meaning.

舅母 is formal/written; 舅妈 is colloquial/spoken.

在书面语中，我们常说‘舅母’。

舅妈 vs 大娘 (dàniáng)

Both refer to elder women.

大娘 is usually for father's elder brother's wife or a generic elder; 舅妈 is maternal.

北方人有时叫大娘，但舅妈的称呼更准确。

舅妈 vs 婆婆 (pópo)

Both are elder female relatives.

婆婆 is husband's mother or grandmother; 舅妈 is maternal uncle's wife.

婆婆是姻亲长辈，舅妈也是。

舅妈 vs 丈母娘 (zhàngmǔniáng)

Both involve the word 'mother' and 'marriage'.

丈母娘 is wife's mother; 舅妈 is mother's brother's wife.

丈母娘是男方的亲戚称呼，舅妈是晚辈的称呼。

Sentence Patterns

这是[Person]的舅妈。

这是我的舅妈。

舅妈在[Location][Action]。

舅妈在厨房做饭。

虽然[Clause]，但舅妈[Clause]。

虽然工作很忙，但舅妈还是经常来看我们。

舅妈对[Noun/Topic]非常有研究。

舅妈对中医非常有研究。

在舅妈的[Noun]下，[Result]。

在舅妈的鼓励下，我终于考上了大学。

[Noun]流露出舅妈的[Quality]。

这件刺绣流露出舅妈的匠心独运。

舅妈比[Person][Adjective]。

舅妈比阿姨高。

舅妈教我[Verb]。

舅妈教我写书法。

Word Family

Nouns

舅舅 (jiùjiu - maternal uncle)

舅母 (jiùmǔ - formal version)

外甥 (wàisheng - nephew)

外甥女 (wàishengnǚ - niece)

家族 (jiāzú - family/clan)

亲戚 (qīnqi - relatives)

姻亲 (yīnqīn - relatives by marriage)

长辈 (zhǎngbèi - elder generation)

称呼 (chēnghu - to address/title)

How to Use It

frequency

High in family contexts; low in professional/public contexts.

Common Mistakes

Calling your father's sister '舅妈'. → 姑妈 (gūmā)
舅妈 is only for the mother's side (uncle's wife).
Calling your mother's sister '舅妈'. → 姨妈 (yímā)
舅妈 is the uncle's wife, not the mother's sister herself.
Pronouncing 'jiù' as 'jiǔ'. → jiùmā (4th tone)
The 3rd tone changes the meaning to 'wine'.
Using '舅妈' for a generic older woman. → 阿姨 (āyí)
舅妈 is strictly for family members.
Saying '舅妈' for your father's brother's wife. → 婶婶 (shěnshen)
This confuses the paternal and maternal lines.

Tips

Respect the Hierarchy

Always greet your 舅妈 first when entering a family gathering. It shows you recognize her status as an elder.

Tone Accuracy

Practice the falling tone of 'jiù'. If you say 'jiǔ', people might think you are talking about 'Wine Mom'!

Character Components

Remember that '舅' contains '男' (man) because it refers to the brother's side of the family.

Gift Etiquette

When visiting your 舅妈, it's polite to bring a small gift like fruit or tea.

The 'M' Rule

Maternal = Mother's side. 舅妈 starts with the 'M' sound in 'ma'. Use this to keep maternal and paternal straight.

Phone Contacts

Chinese people often save their relatives in their phone by their title, e.g., '二舅妈', rather than their name.

Formal Reading

If you see '舅母' in a book, don't be confused; it's just the formal version of '舅妈'.

Dialect Awareness

Be aware that in some places you might hear '妗子', but you should stick to '舅妈' as a learner.

Possessive Omission

Drop the '的' (de) when saying 'my aunt' (我舅妈) to sound more like a native speaker.

Serving Tea

If you are serving tea, always serve your 舅妈 before serving yourself or younger relatives.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'J' for 'Join' and 'U' for 'Uncle'. She is the one who 'Joined' the 'Uncle's' family. 'Mā' is just like 'Ma' (mom).

Visual Association

Imagine your mother's brother (Uncle) standing next to his wife. Label her with a 'M' for 'Maternal' and 'M' for 'Marriage' = 舅妈.

Word Web

舅舅妈妈外公外婆外甥表哥表姐亲戚

Challenge

Try to draw your maternal family tree and label everyone. Make sure to put '舅妈' next to your mother's brothers.

Word Origin

The character '舅' (jiù) dates back to the seal script. It combines '臼' (jiù - mortar) and '男' (nán - man). Historically, 'jiù' referred to both the mother's brothers and the father-in-law, reflecting ancient marriage structures. '妈' (mā) is a phonosemantic compound with '女' (nǚ - woman) as the radical and '马' (mǎ - horse) providing the sound.

Original meaning: The wife of the mother's brother.

Sino-Tibetan -> Sinitic -> Mandarin.

Cultural Context

Always use the title; using a first name is offensive. If the 舅妈 is divorced or widowed, the terms might change or stay the same depending on the family's closeness.

In English, we just say 'Aunt'. We don't distinguish if she's the wife of a brother or a sister, or which parent she's related to. This makes Chinese kinship seem very complex to English speakers.

In the classic novel 'Dream of the Red Chamber', various 'jiùmā' characters play roles in the complex family politics. In the movie 'Hi, Mom' (你好, 李焕英), maternal family relationships are central to the nostalgia. Traditional 'Xiangsheng' (crosstalk) often jokes about the specific titles of relatives.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Spring Festival

给舅妈拜年
舅妈，过年好
舅妈给红包
去舅妈家吃饭

Family Introduction

这是我舅妈
她是我舅舅的妻子
我舅妈是老师
向舅妈问好

Asking for Advice

舅妈，您看这事儿...
听舅妈的建议
舅妈有经验
请教舅妈

Gift Giving

送给舅妈的礼物
舅妈喜欢的颜色
祝舅妈身体健康
舅妈太客气了

Childhood Memories

住在舅妈家
舅妈做的点心
舅妈带我去玩
小时候最喜欢舅妈

Conversation Starters

"你舅妈住在哪个城市？ (Which city does your maternal aunt-in-law live in?)"

"你舅妈做的哪道菜最好吃？ (Which dish made by your maternal aunt-in-law is the tastiest?)"

"你经常去舅妈家玩吗？ (Do you often go to your maternal aunt-in-law's house to play?)"

"你舅妈和你妈妈的关系怎么样？ (How is the relationship between your maternal aunt-in-law and your mother?)"

"舅妈今年过年打算怎么过？ (How does your maternal aunt-in-law plan to spend the New Year this year?)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你对舅妈的第一印象。 (Write about your first impression of your maternal aunt-in-law.)

描述一次你去舅妈家做客的经历。 (Describe an experience of visiting your maternal aunt-in-law's house.)

舅妈曾经给过你什么重要的建议吗？ (Has your maternal aunt-in-law ever given you any important advice?)

如果用一个词来形容你的舅妈，你会选哪个词？为什么？ (If you could use one word to describe your maternal aunt-in-law, which one would you choose? Why?)

谈谈舅妈在你们家族中的地位。 (Talk about the status of your maternal aunt-in-law in your family.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. '舅妈' is a very specific kinship term. For family friends, use '阿姨' (āyí).

You use numbers: 大舅妈 (1st), 二舅妈 (2nd), 三舅妈 (3rd), 小舅妈 (youngest).

No, that would be '表嫂' (biǎosǎo) if it's the wife of a maternal cousin.

It is written as 'jiùmā'. Note the 4th tone on 'jiù' and 1st tone on 'mā'.

No, '舅妈' applies to the wife of any of your mother's brothers, regardless of age.

'舅妈' is the common spoken form, while '舅母' is the formal written form.

No, that is '婶婶' (shěnshen) or '大娘' (dàniáng).

Yes, in Chinese culture, it is considered very disrespectful to call elders by their names. Always use the title.

She calls you '外甥' (wàisheng) if you are male, or '外甥女' (wàishengnǚ) if you are female.

Yes, it is the standard Mandarin term, though regional dialects might have local variations like '妗子'.