半老徐娘
mother; young woman
Meanings
3 senses · 7 examplesnoun
mother; mom
informalA common term for one's own mother, used mostly in the north and in informal contexts. It's slightly less formal than 母亲 (mǔqīn).
My mom's cooking is the best.
Go home quickly, your mom is waiting for you.
noun
young woman; girl; maiden
literaryOften used in compounds and some dialects. It is an older, somewhat literary or regional term for a young woman.
Where is this young lady from?
The bride looks really beautiful today.
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The fisherman's daughter is weaving nets by the sea.
noun
a middle-aged woman who remains charming; (figuratively) Xu Niang
literaryThis specific sense is almost exclusively used in the idiom 徐娘半老 (Xúniáng bàn lǎo), which refers to a middle-aged woman like Xu Niang who retains her charm and allure from her youth. It can be slightly ironic or teasing.
Truly a middle-aged Xu Niang, her charm remains.
Although she is over forty, she is still a charming middle-aged woman with an extraordinary demeanor.