Meanings of 伯伯
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Podcast: 伯伯
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AI Study Notes for 伯伯
叔叔 (shūshu) refers to one's father's younger brother; use 伯伯 for the elder brother.
While '伯伯' is used in informal, everyday conversation, it may not be suitable in formal contexts where titles like '叔叔' (younger uncle) or '父亲的兄弟' (father's brother) are preferred. Be cautious with tone, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning entirely.
Although '伯伯' may not appear in early HSK levels, it’s a useful word for understanding family relationships, which are often emphasized in language learning. Students should focus on the correct tones and practice using it in family-related conversations.
Learners often confuse 伯伯 with 叔叔 (shūshu), which means 'younger uncle.' It's important to remember that 伯伯 is specifically for the elder brother of your father. A common mistake is saying '我有一个叔叔' (I have an uncle) when referring to a 伯伯.
Pronunciation of 伯伯
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Component Characters
How to say father's elder brother in Chinese
“father's elder brother” in Chinese is伯伯
伯伯 (bóbo) refers specifically to one's father's elder brother, commonly translated as 'uncle' in English. This term is used in familial contexts to denote respect for the elder relatives and is important in discussions of family hierarchy.
When to use 伯伯
While '伯伯' is used in informal, everyday conversation, it may not be suitable in formal contexts where titles like '叔叔' (younger uncle) or '父亲的兄弟' (father's brother) are preferred. Be cautious with tone, as mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning entirely.
伯伯 or something close to it
叔叔 (shūshu) refers to one's father's younger brother; use 伯伯 for the elder brother.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 伯伯 with 叔叔 (shūshu), which means 'younger uncle.' It's important to remember that 伯伯 is specifically for the elder brother of your father. A common mistake is saying '我有一个叔叔' (I have an uncle) when referring to a 伯伯.
Write 伯伯
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Frequently Asked Questions about 伯伯
You can say, '我的伯伯很喜欢打麻将' (My uncle loves to play mahjong).
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