How to Say ‘Aunt’ in Japanese
おばさん
oba san
[OH-bah sahn]
🇯🇵 In Japan: おばさん also means any middle-aged woman. Addressed to a stranger it can sting, so many people say お姉さん instead.
Phrase Breakdown
おば
oba
[OH-bah]
aunt
Aunt; with -san it is the polite way to say aunt or a middle-aged woman.
おばさんは大阪にいます。
My aunt is in Osaka.
さん
san
[sahn]
Mr.; Ms.; polite suffix
さん is a polite suffix attached to people's roles or names, adding respect.
おじいさんがきました。
Grandfather came.
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