Meanings of 大爷
By ear
Play it, then pick what 大爷 means.
About 大爷
Podcast: 大爷
Podcast: 大爷
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 大爷
大叔 (dà shū) - use 大爷 for an older male figure who may be self-important, while 大叔 is more neutral and refers to an older man without the same connotations.
Be cautious when using 大爷, as it can be informal and may carry negative connotations depending on the context. While it can show respect toward older men, using it to refer to someone perceived as arrogant might offend. Common collocations include '大爷' used in street conversations or when talking about local figures.
Although 大爷 is not specifically listed in the HSK vocabulary, it connects to other familial terms and honorifics found in earlier levels. Students should focus on the cultural nuances and contexts in which the term is used, especially in casual conversations.
Learners often confuse 大爷 with 叔叔, using them interchangeably. It's important to remember that 大爷 denotes a specific familial relationship, whereas 叔叔 is broader. For example, saying '我叔叔来了' (My uncle is here) is correct, while '我大爷来了' could imply a specific older brother of your father, which may not be accurate.
Pronunciation of 大爷
Drill the tone of 大爷 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 大爷 to You
Let me explain 大爷 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 大爷 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 大爷?
Learning Lab
Knowing 大爷 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component Characters
How to say arrogant idler in Chinese
“arrogant idler” in Chinese is大爷
大爷 (dà yé) is a colloquial term that primarily refers to one's father's older brother, akin to the English 'uncle.' It can also be used to describe an arrogant or self-centered older man. In various contexts, it carries a tone of respect, but can also imply disdain for someone who acts superior or idle.
When to use 大爷
Be cautious when using 大爷, as it can be informal and may carry negative connotations depending on the context. While it can show respect toward older men, using it to refer to someone perceived as arrogant might offend. Common collocations include '大爷' used in street conversations or when talking about local figures.
大爷 or something close to it
大叔 (dà shū) - use 大爷 for an older male figure who may be self-important, while 大叔 is more neutral and refers to an older man without the same connotations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 大爷 with 叔叔, using them interchangeably. It's important to remember that 大爷 denotes a specific familial relationship, whereas 叔叔 is broader. For example, saying '我叔叔来了' (My uncle is here) is correct, while '我大爷来了' could imply a specific older brother of your father, which may not be accurate.
Write 大爷
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 大爷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 大爷?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 大爷
It's best to use 大爷 for older men whom you know or have a respectful relationship with, as it can imply a degree of familiarity.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 大爷?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.