娘
这是我的娘。
This is my daughter.
A female child in relation to her parents; daughter.
她是我最爱的娘。
She is my most beloved daughter.
In some dialects, especially in the north, 娘 can also refer to a wife or a woman in general.
A term of endearment for a woman, often used by older generations.
娘，你今天怎么这么漂亮？
Darling, why are you so beautiful today?
This usage is more common in northern Chinese dialects.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Dialectal Variations
In northern Chinese dialects, 娘 can sometimes refer to a wife or a woman in general, not just a daughter.
Gold Rule
Formal vs. Informal Usage
Use 娘 to refer to a daughter in formal contexts. In informal contexts, it can be a term of endearment for a woman.
Word Origin
The character 娘 is composed of 女 (woman) and 孚 (trustworthy), originally referring to a trustworthy woman or daughter.
Usage Notes
In modern standard Chinese, 娘 primarily means 'daughter.' However, in some dialects, it can also mean 'wife' or be used as a term of endearment for a woman.