姑 gū aunt
father's sister
How to remember 姑: 女 woman + 古 old = aunt. The woman with the old camera hugs the bride at the wedding and says "I am your aunt!"
Component breakdown
姑 = 女 woman + 古 old
- 女 woman
- 古 old
The woman with the old camera hugs the bride at the wedding and says "I am your aunt!"
How it came to be
A woman with the old block beside her, for the sound and half the meaning. An older woman on the father's side: the age is in the character, the side is not.
How it is used
- 'Father's sister; young woman'. 姑姑 (gūgu) = paternal aunt (father's sister), distinct from 姨 (yí) maternal aunt.
- 姑娘 (gūniang) = girl/young woman: 那个姑娘 (nàge gūniang) that girl.
- 姑且 (gūqiě) = for the time being / tentatively - a written adverb.