大爷

dà ye

CL 位 wèi 个 gè

HSK 3.0 Level 5 Noun Uncommon

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This word has multiple dictionary entries. Choose the reading or usage you want to review.

大爷

dà ye Noun uncle

大爷

dà yé arrogant idler; self-centered show-off

Definitions

1. uncle

Word relationships

Counterparts

1 item

• 大娘 dà niáng 大娘 dà niáng aunt (polite address) Female equivalent: respectful term for an older woman.: aunt (polite address)

Register variants

1 item

• 老爷 lǎo ye 老爷 lǎo ye (respectful) lord Used in some dialects to address an elderly man, similar to 大爷 in standard Mandarin.: (respectful) lord

Related words

2 items

• 伯伯 bó bo 伯伯 bó bo father's elder brother Also means uncle, but specifically father's older brother; 大爷 is more commonly a respectful address for an older man.: father's elder brother
• 大叔 dà shū 大叔 dà shū eldest of father's younger brothers Another respectful term for an older man, less formal than 大爷.: eldest of father's younger brothers

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not confuse with 爷爷 (yéye, grandfather). 大爷 is not used for one's own grandfather; it is for unrelated older men or sometimes a paternal uncle.

Formality

Often used as a polite term of address for an elderly man, similar to 'sir' in English. It shows respect and familiarity.

Example Sentences

1 shown

那位 大爷 很热情地给我们指路。

That old gentleman very kindly gave us directions.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 大爷

• 老大爷 老大爷 lǎo dà yé: uncle

Child Words of 大爷

• 大 大 dà: big; large; great
• 大 大 dài: see 大夫[dài fu]
• 爷 爷 yé: grandpa