姨 yí aunt
aunt; mother's sister
How to remember 姨: 女 woman + 夷 ancient barbarian tribes = aunt. The woman by the birthday cake talks all evening about her podcast on ancient barbarian tribes, the nerdiest and best-loved aunt in the family.
Component breakdown
姨 = 女 woman + 夷 ancient barbarian tribes
- 女 woman
- 夷 ancient barbarian tribes
The woman by the birthday cake talks all evening about her podcast on ancient barbarian tribes, the nerdiest and best-loved aunt in the family.
How it is used
- Mother's sister - precise kinship: 姨 (yí) is maternal aunt, distinct from 姑 (gū) father's sister.
- In daily life 阿姨 (āyí) is the go-to word: it means 'auntie' but is also how you politely address any middle-aged woman, or a housekeeper/nanny.
- 小姨 (xiǎoyí) = mom's younger sister; 姨妈 (yímā) = mom's elder sister - Chinese pins down exactly which aunt.
Words with 姨
Example sentences
- 我是她的阿姨。 Wǒ shì tā de āyí.I am her aunt.