Usage note
大爷是对年纪较大的男人的称呼。
dà yé shì duì nián jì jiào dà de nán rén de chēng hu。
大爷 is a way to address an older man.
Context note
大爷常用于口语和日常称呼。
dà yé cháng yòng yú kǒu yǔ hé rì cháng chēng hu。
It is often used in speech and daily addressing.
5 examples
大爷在院子里散步。
dà yé zài yuàn zi lǐ sàn bù。
The old man is walking in the yard.
请问大爷去哪儿？
qǐng wèn dà yé qù nǎ ér？
Excuse me, where is the old man going?
这位大爷很亲切。
zhè wèi dà yé hěn qīn qiè。
This old man is very kind.
大爷帮了我们。
dà yé bāng le wǒ men。
The old man helped us.
我们认识那位大爷。
wǒ men rèn shi nà wèi dà yé。
We know that old man.
5 mini stories
大爷每天都去公园走一走。
dà yé měi tiān dōu qù gōng yuán zǒu yi zǒu。
The old man goes to the park for a walk every day.
邻居大爷喜欢下棋。
lín jū dà yé xǐ huan xià qí。
The neighbor old man likes to play chess.
大爷给孩子讲故事。
dà yé gěi hái zi jiǎng gù shì。
The old man told stories to the child.
大家都尊重这位大爷。
dà jiā dōu zūn zhòng zhè wèi dà yé。
Everyone respects this old man.
早上，大爷在门口晒太阳。
zǎo shàng， dà yé zài mén kǒu shài tài yáng。
In the morning, the old man sits in the sun at the door.
Mini dialogue
问候大爷
A
早上好，大爷！您去公园吗？
Zǎoshang hǎo, dà yé! Nín qù gōngyuán ma?
Good morning, uncle! Are you going to the park?
B
是啊，我去打太极拳。
Shì a, wǒ qù dǎ tàijíquán.
Yes, I'm going to practice tai chi.
帮助大爷
A
大爷，我帮您拿东西吧。
Dà yé, wǒ bāng nín ná dōngxi ba.
Uncle, let me help you carry your things.
B
谢谢你，你真是个好孩子。
Xièxie nǐ, nǐ zhēnshi ge hǎo háizi.
Thank you, you are such a good kid.
Related words and contrasts
contrast
叔叔
shū shu
uncle (younger man)
大爷 is for older men, 叔叔 is for younger men or father's younger brother
similar
老爷爷
lǎo yé ye
grandpa (respectful)
Both are polite ways to address elderly men