Usage note
大妈表示年纪较大的妇女，也可作称呼。
dà mā biǎo shì nián jì jiào dà de fù nǚ， yě kě zuò chēng hu。
大妈 means an older woman, or an informal address.
Context note
大妈常用于口语和日常称呼。
dà mā cháng yòng yú kǒu yǔ hé rì cháng chēng hu。
It is often used in speech and daily addressing.
5 examples
大妈在买菜。
dà mā zài mǎi cài。
The auntie is buying vegetables.
这位大妈很热情。
zhè wèi dà mā hěn rè qíng。
This auntie is very enthusiastic.
请问大妈在哪里？
qǐng wèn dà mā zài nǎ lǐ？
Excuse me, where is the auntie?
大妈帮了我们。
dà mā bāng le wǒ men。
The auntie helped us.
我认识那位大妈。
wǒ rèn shi nà wèi dà mā。
I know that auntie.
5 mini stories
大妈在公园里跳舞。
dà mā zài gōng yuán lǐ tiào wǔ。
The auntie is dancing in the park.
邻居大妈很喜欢聊天。
lín jū dà mā hěn xǐ huan liáo tiān。
The neighbor auntie likes chatting.
大妈给孩子讲故事。
dà mā gěi hái zi jiǎng gù shì。
The auntie told stories to the child.
大家都喜欢这位大妈。
dà jiā dōu xǐ huan zhè wèi dà mā。
Everyone likes this auntie.
早上，大妈总是很早出门。
zǎo shàng， dà mā zǒng shì hěn zǎo chū mén。
In the morning, the auntie always leaves very early.
Mini dialogue
邻居打招呼
A
早上好，大妈！您去买菜吗？
Zǎoshang hǎo, dà mā! Nín qù mǎi cài ma?
Good morning, auntie! Are you going grocery shopping?
B
是啊，今天超市的菜很新鲜。
Shì a, jīntiān chāoshì de cài hěn xīnxiān.
Yes, the vegetables at the supermarket are very fresh today.
问路
A
大妈，请问图书馆怎么走？
Dà mā, qǐngwèn túshūguǎn zěnme zǒu?
Auntie, could you tell me how to get to the library?
B
往前走，再右转就到了。
Wǎng qián zǒu, zài yòu zhuǎn jiù dào le.
Go straight ahead, then turn right and you'll be there.
Related words and contrasts
similar
阿姨
ā yí
auntie (general term)
Both are polite ways to address an older woman, but 大妈 is more casual and refers to a middle-aged or older woman.
related
伯母
bó mǔ
aunt (wife of father's older brother)
A specific family term, while 大妈 can be used for any older female neighbor or acquaintance.
contrast
大爷
dà yé
uncle (older man)
The male equivalent for addressing an older man in a casual, friendly way.