<p>Well you are partially right. 嫂子 can be used to call someone, but it is not a prefix. It is similar to the word "bro". When you use it, you need to know/see the husband of the lady. Using 嫂子 properly can bring you closer to the couple. Don't use it when you see or know the lady's husband is obviously younger than you (it doesn't matter whether the lady is younger than you).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-25T05:08:39.543Z
2015-04-25T05:08:39.543Z
FortCpp
<p>The alternative meaning you might be looking for:</p>

<p><strong>Oxford</strong></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>2 朋友的妻子 wife of one's friend</p>
</blockquote>

<p><strong>Hanyu Da Cidian</strong></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>2 已婚妇女的泛称。</p>
</blockquote>

<p><em>a general term for married women</em></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>《红楼梦》第六回
  劉姥姥 便説：‘原是特來瞧瞧嫂子, 二則也請姑太太的安。’</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-24T01:42:11.893Z
2015-04-24T01:58:58.000Z
2015-04-24T01:58:58.000Z
Mou某
<p>Sister-in-law, who (she) is your brother's wife.</p>

<p>In a broader usage, people call a male friend of similar age as brother, Ge1 Ge1, and call his wife as Sao3 Zi. </p>

<p>A male person avoids to use Jie3 Jie3 or Mei4 Mei4 to call a female of purely friendship, since Jie3 Jie3 or Mei4 Mei4 may be used for their lovers. But a young girl may not like to be called as Sao3 Zi, since Sao3 Zi is more suit for a married lady.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-24T22:38:22.533Z
2015-04-24T22:47:45.673Z
2015-04-24T22:47:45.673Z
PdotWang
<p>I know what 嫂子 means literally, but is there an alternative meaning for it? For example, it's like a "title" I suppose when a person doesn't know their name and just calls them that.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-24T01:09:28.650Z
I don't think there is an alternative meaning. It's a specific expression for sister in law.
flaudre
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-24T01:22:40.060Z
What made you think there is an alternative meaning?
NS.X.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-24T01:24:34.590Z
大嫂 : just an  informal title for women that slightly older than you. usually for women aged in 35~60
Shiji.J
<translation>
A translation for "嫂子"?
# A translation for "嫂子"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-04-24)

I know what 嫂子 means literally, but is there an alternative meaning for it? For example, it's like a "title" I suppose when a person doesn't know their name and just calls them that.

**Tags:** translation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I don't think there is an alternative meaning. It's a specific expression for sister in law.  
> **username_2**: What made you think there is an alternative meaning?  
> **username_3**: 大嫂 : just an  informal title for women that slightly older than you. usually for women aged in 35~60  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2015-04-25. Score: 3

Well you are partially right. 嫂子 can be used to call someone, but it is not a prefix. It is similar to the word "bro". When you use it, you need to know/see the husband of the lady. Using 嫂子 properly can bring you closer to the couple. Don't use it when you see or know the lady's husband is obviously younger than you (it doesn't matter whether the lady is younger than you).


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### Answer by username_5 on 2015-04-24. Score: 3

The alternative meaning you might be looking for:

**Oxford**

> 2 朋友的妻子 wife of one's friend

**Hanyu Da Cidian**

> 2 已婚妇女的泛称。

*a general term for married women*

> 《红楼梦》第六回
> 劉姥姥 便説：‘原是特來瞧瞧嫂子, 二則也請姑太太的安。’


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### Answer by username_6 on 2015-04-24. Score: 2

Sister-in-law, who (she) is your brother's wife.

In a broader usage, people call a male friend of similar age as brother, Ge1 Ge1, and call his wife as Sao3 Zi.

A male person avoids to use Jie3 Jie3 or Mei4 Mei4 to call a female of purely friendship, since Jie3 Jie3 or Mei4 Mei4 may be used for their lovers. But a young girl may not like to be called as Sao3 Zi, since Sao3 Zi is more suit for a married lady.


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