おば

おば
noun
aunt
informalfamily
See also: おばさん (polite form), おじ (uncle)
1. aunt
One's parent's sister, or the wife of one's parent's sibling.
おばに会(あ)う。
To meet my aunt.
おばは東京(とうきょう)に住(す)んでいます。
My aunt lives in Tokyo.
おばがケーキを作(つく)ってくれました。
My aunt made a cake for me.
先月(せんげつ)おばの家(いえ)に行(い)きました。とても楽(たの)しかったです。
I went to my aunt's house last month. It was a lot of fun.
おばは母(はは)の姉(あね)で、子供(こども)の時(とき)から私(わたし)のことをかわいがってくれました。
My aunt is my mother's older sister, and she has been fond of me since I was a child.

おば refers to one's own aunt. It is used when speaking about your aunt to others (humble/neutral context).

Kanji forms

  • 伯母(おば): aunt who is older than your parent
  • 叔母(おば): aunt who is younger than your parent
  • In casual writing, おば is often left in hiragana

Politeness levels

  • おば: plain form (for your own aunt when speaking to others)
  • おばさん: polite form (for someone else's aunt, or general address)
  • おばさま: very polite form

Watch out

おばさん can also be used as a general term for middle-aged women, which some people find rude. Be careful with context.

Related words

Related Words

Related: おじ (uncle)
Related: 祖母(そぼ) (grandmother)
Related: おばあさん (grandmother)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:19 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
00500/00978_oba