叔叔
shū shu HSK 3

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

我叔叔是医生。
Wǒ shūshu shì yīshēng.
My uncle is a doctor.
叔叔给我礼物。
Shūshu gěi wǒ lǐwù.
Uncle gave me a gift.
叔叔住在北京。
Shūshu zhù zài Běijīng.
Uncle lives in Beijing.
叔叔来了。
Shūshu lái le.
Uncle has come.
叔叔很高。
Shūshu hěn gāo.
Uncle is very tall.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of the first character 叔 (shū) which contains 又 (again) and 小 (small), hinting at a 'younger' brother of your father. The reduplication (叔叔) makes it sound affectionate and casual.

📝 Usage Notes

It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, in informal and semi-formal contexts. It is used within families to refer to a paternal uncle, and socially as a respectful term of address for a familiar older male (e.g., '王叔叔' for Uncle Wang).

📖 Grammar Points

Used as a noun, often preceded by a possessive like 我的 (my) or a surname to form an address term (e.g., 张叔叔). It is a reduplicated word where the second character is neutral tone.

🏯 Cultural Notes

Using 叔叔 to address non-relatives shows respect and familiarity, common when children speak to their parents' friends or male community figures. It reinforces social hierarchy and politeness.

🔄 Similar Words

伯伯 (bóbo) refers to father's older brother. 舅舅 (jiùjiu) refers to mother's brother. 叔叔 specifically denotes a younger paternal uncle or a non-relative of that generation.

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