おじさん

おじさん
noun
uncle; middle-aged man
1. uncle
One's parent's brother. Can also refer to the husband of one's parent's sister (uncle by marriage).
おじさんは大阪(おおさか)に住(す)んでいます。
My uncle lives in Osaka.
おじさんからプレゼントをもらいました。
I received a present from my uncle.
おじさんの仕事(しごと)は何(なん)ですか。
What is your uncle's job?
おじさんは父(ちち)の弟(おとうと)です。
My uncle is my father's younger brother.
おじさんに会(あ)うのは久(ひさ)しぶりだ。
It's been a while since I've seen my uncle.
2. middle-aged man, mister
Used to address or refer to a middle-aged man who is not related to you. Similar to 'mister' or 'sir' in English.
すみません、おじさん、駅(えき)はどこですか。
Excuse me, mister, where is the station?
Casual way to address a middle-aged stranger
おじさん、写真(しゃしん)を撮(と)ってもらえませんか。
Excuse me, sir, could you take a picture for me?
Politely asking a middle-aged stranger
隣(となり)のおじさんは優(やさ)しい。
The man next door is kind.
あのおじさんが道(みち)を教(おし)えてくれた。
That man showed me the way.
魚屋(さかなや)のおじさんが威勢(いせい)よく呼(よ)びかけている。
The man at the fish shop is calling out energetically.

おじさん has two main uses: addressing a family uncle, and addressing or referring to a middle-aged man.

KANJI FORMS (for family uncle):

  • 叔父(おじ)さん: uncle younger than your parent
  • 伯父(おじ)さん: uncle older than your parent

In practice, most people write おじさん in hiragana regardless.

SOUND-ALIKE WARNING:
おじさん (uncle / middle-aged man) and おじいさん (grandfather / elderly man) sound very similar. Pronouncing the wrong one can cause offense — be careful with vowel length.

FORMALITY:
When speaking about your own uncle to others, use 叔父(おじ)/伯父(おじ) (without さん). When referring to someone else's uncle politely, おじさま is more formal.

RELATED:

  • おばさん: aunt / middle-aged woman
  • おじいさん: grandfather / elderly man
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:41 · Revised 2026.2.21 11:56
00500/00803_ojisan