Meanings of 保姆
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Podcast: 保姆
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AI Study Notes for 保姆
保姆 (bǎomǔ) vs 催乳师 (cuīrǔshī) — choose 保姆 for general household care, while 催乳师 specifically refers to a lactation consultant.
Be careful not to confuse 保姆 with similar terms like 嬷嬷 (māma), which can refer to a wet nurse. The term is generally informal, suitable for everyday conversation, but may not be used in very formal settings. Common collocations include '请保姆' (hire a nanny) or '保姆工作' (nanny work).
As an HSK Level 6 word, 保姆 connects well with other terms related to family and domestic life. Students should focus on its use in contexts discussing family dynamics and household management, broadening their vocabulary in this area.
Learners often confuse 保姆 with other caregiver terms, like 嬷嬷. For example, saying '我请了一个嬷嬷' (I hired a wet nurse) when intending to say 'I hired a nanny' would be incorrect. The correct usage is '我请了一个保姆'.
Pronunciation of 保姆
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Component Characters
How to say nanny in Chinese
“nanny” in Chinese is保姆
保姆 (bǎomǔ) refers to a person employed to take care of children or manage household tasks, often translating to 'nanny' or 'housekeeper.' This term is commonly used in family contexts where a caregiver is needed, and it can also imply a degree of trust and responsibility in the home. The nuance can vary from informal nanny roles to more formal household management.
When to use 保姆
Be careful not to confuse 保姆 with similar terms like 嬷嬷 (māma), which can refer to a wet nurse. The term is generally informal, suitable for everyday conversation, but may not be used in very formal settings. Common collocations include '请保姆' (hire a nanny) or '保姆工作' (nanny work).
保姆 or something close to it
保姆 (bǎomǔ) vs 催乳师 (cuīrǔshī) — choose 保姆 for general household care, while 催乳师 specifically refers to a lactation consultant.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 保姆 with other caregiver terms, like 嬷嬷. For example, saying '我请了一个嬷嬷' (I hired a wet nurse) when intending to say 'I hired a nanny' would be incorrect. The correct usage is '我请了一个保姆'.
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Practice writing 保姆 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 保姆
保姆 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
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他们每天都和____一起在公园里散步，表现得很有教养。
They go for decorous walks every day in parks with their nanny.
Example Sentences for 保姆 (3)
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Cultural Notes for 保姆
In Western cultures, the term 'nanny' often carries a more personal connotation, implying a caregiver who may live in the household, whereas 保姆 can sometimes refer to more casual, part-time help.
Frequently Asked Questions about 保姆
保姆 refers to a nanny or housekeeper, while 嬷嬷 typically means a wet nurse, focusing on breastfeeding infants.
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