Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'aunt' depends on whose aunt it is, the aunt's age relative to the parent, and the level of politeness. There are distinct terms for one's own aunt versus someone else's aunt, and for older versus younger sisters of a parent.
Referring to your own aunt, distinguishing between older and younger sister of your parent.
Used for an aunt who is an older sister of your parent. This is the standard term when speaking about your own aunt to others.
My aunt (older sister of my parent) lives in Tokyo.
Used for an aunt who is a younger sister of your parent. Like 伯母, this is used when talking about your own aunt.
叔母は看護師です。
My aunt (younger sister of my parent) is a nurse.
The generic term for aunt, written in hiragana. It can be used when the age relation is unknown or unimportant, but in formal writing, the kanji distinctions are preferred.
おばから手紙が来た。
I got a letter from my aunt.
Referring to another person's aunt politely.
Polite form for an older aunt (older sister of a parent). Used when talking about someone else's aunt or addressing your own aunt politely.
田中さんの伯母さんにお会いしました。
I met Tanaka's aunt (older sister of his parent).
Polite form for a younger aunt (younger sister of a parent). Used similarly to 伯母さん.
General polite term for aunt, used for both older and younger aunts. It can also be used to address a middle-aged woman who is not related, similar to 'ma'am' or 'auntie' in English.
Using おばさん to address a woman who is not your aunt can be considered rude if she is not actually middle-aged or if you are not close. It implies she is older.
Calling your own aunt directly in a familiar way.
Affectionate, familiar term for aunt, often used by children or in casual settings. It does not distinguish between older/younger.
おばちゃん、遊びに来たよ！
Auntie, I came to play!
A more formal and respectful way to address your aunt, often used in upper-class families or in formal situations.
おばさま、お元気ですか。
Aunt, how are you? (formal)
Referring to the wife of your parent's brother.
If the uncle is an older brother of your parent, his wife is called 伯母 (same as older sister).
伯父の奥さん、つまり伯母です。
My uncle's wife, that is, my aunt.
If the uncle is a younger brother of your parent, his wife is called 叔母 (same as younger sister).
叔父の奥さん、つまり叔母です。
My uncle's wife, that is, my aunt.
Literally 'aunt-in-law', used to clarify the relationship when necessary. 義理の伯母 for older, 義理の叔母 for younger.
彼女は義理の伯母です。
She is my aunt by marriage (older).
伯母 (older sister of parent) and 叔母 (younger sister of parent) are kanji distinctions used in formal writing. In speech, both are pronounced おば. When the age relation is unknown, おば in hiragana is safe. For someone else's aunt, add さん (伯母さん/叔母さん/おばさん).
Calling a woman おばさん who is not your aunt and is not clearly middle-aged can be offensive. It's like calling her 'old lady'. Use お姉さん (おねえさん) for young women or simply avoid such terms with strangers.
鈴木さんの叔母さんは親切ですね。
Suzuki's aunt (younger sister of his parent) is kind, isn't she?
おばさん、こんにちは。
Hello, Auntie. (addressing your own aunt or a familiar older woman)