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大爷

dà ye
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. 1. uncle

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Word relationships

Counterparts

1 item
大娘
dà niáng

aunt (polite address)

Female equivalent: respectful term for an older woman.

Register variants

1 item
老爷
lǎo ye

(respectful) lord

Used in some dialects to address an elderly man, similar to 大爷 in standard Mandarin.

Related words

2 items
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.
大叔
dà shū

eldest of father's younger brothers

Another respectful term for an older man, less formal than 大爷.

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
lǎo dà yé

uncle

Child Words of 大爷

大
dà

big; large; great

大
dài

see 大夫[dài fu]

爷
yé

grandpa