保姆
bǎo mǔ HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

她请了一位保姆照顾孩子。
Tā qǐngle yī wèi bǎomǔ zhàogù háizi.
She hired a nanny to take care of the children.
保姆每天负责做饭和打扫。
Bǎomǔ měitiān fùzé zuòfàn hé dǎsǎo.
The nursemaid is responsible for cooking and cleaning every day.
这位保姆经验丰富,很受欢迎。
Zhè wèi bǎomǔ jīngyàn fēngfù, hěn shòu huānyíng.
This nanny is experienced and very popular.
保姆照顾孩子。
Bǎomǔ zhàogù háizi.
The nanny takes care of the child.
她请了一位保姆。
Tā qǐngle yī wèi bǎomǔ.
She hired a nanny.

💡 Memory Tip

Break the word down: 保 (bǎo) means 'to protect' or 'to take care of,' and 姆 (mǔ) is a component often related to women or motherhood (as in 母亲, mother). So, think of a 保姆 as a 'care-mother' or a woman who takes care of the home and children.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is standard and neutral in tone, used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is appropriate in formal and informal contexts, commonly appearing in discussions about domestic employment, family life, and childcare arrangements.

📖 Grammar Points

保姆 is primarily used as a noun and can be modified by adjectives (e.g., 负责任的保姆) or verbs (e.g., 请保姆). It often serves as the subject or object in a sentence, such as '保姆在做饭。' (The nanny is cooking.)

🏯 Cultural Notes

In modern Chinese society, hiring a 保姆 is common in urban dual-income families. The role traditionally carries expectations of trust and responsibility within the household. There is also a related term, 月嫂 (yuèsǎo), who is a specialized postnatal caregiver hired for the first month after childbirth.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar words include 阿姨 (āyí), which is a more informal, affectionate term often used by children to address a nanny or housekeeper, and 管家 (guǎnjiā), which refers more specifically to a butler or house manager, often with a focus on overall household administration rather than primarily childcare.

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