mẫu cữu
Definition
- Noun:
- Maternal uncle (younger than one's mother): A specific kinship term referring to the younger brother of one's mother. This term precisely indicates both the maternal relation and the relative age (younger than the mother).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Mẫu cữu của tôi là bác sĩ. (My maternal uncle [mother's younger brother] is a doctor.)
- Tôi rất thân với mẫu cữu. (I am very close to my maternal uncle [mother's younger brother].)
Advanced Usage
- The term "mẫu cữu" is part of a precise kinship system in Vietnamese that distinguishes the age of relatives relative to the parent. It is more specific than the general English term "uncle."
- In formal or written contexts, especially when detailing family relationships, this term is used for exactness.
Variants and Related Words
- Cậu (mẹ) (n): A more common and general term for maternal uncle, which does not specify whether he is older or younger than one's mother.
- Cậu tôi sống ở Hà Nội. (My maternal uncle lives in Hanoi.)
- Bác (mẹ) (n): Maternal uncle who is than one's mother.
- Bác tôi năm nay đã 60 tuổi. (My maternal uncle [mother's older brother] is 60 years old this year.)
Synonyms
- Maternal uncle (mother's younger brother): The direct English equivalent specifying the relationship.
Notes on Usage
- "Mẫu cữu" is a formal and precise term. In everyday conversation, the simpler term "cậu" is more frequently used, even if the uncle is younger.
- This term highlights the structured nature of Vietnamese kinship terminology, which often requires specifying the side of the family (paternal/maternal) and relative age.