# 三姑六婆

sān gū liù pó

A disparaging label for gossiping or meddlesome women

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Three aunts and six older women

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Recognize an old-fashioned, gendered criticism.

Demeaning; avoid applying it casually to women.

## Understanding the expression

The expression groups women under an old dismissive label, and modern usage often implies gossip, meddling, or unwanted interference. Its force comes from a stereotype rather than a precise description of what someone did. That makes it less suitable for respectful everyday criticism. If a person spreads private information, describe that conduct directly. The phrase may still appear in dialogue to reveal a speaker’s prejudice or an intentionally old-fashioned attitude.

## Examples

他把爱打听的邻居骂作三姑六婆。

### Traditional Chinese

他把愛打聽的鄰居罵作三姑六婆。

tā bǎ ài dǎ tīng de lín jū mà zuò sān gū liù pó 。

He disparaged the inquisitive neighbors as gossiping women.

别用三姑六婆贬低热心的阿姨。

### Traditional Chinese

別用三姑六婆貶低熱心的阿姨。

bié yòng sān gū liù pó biǎn dī rè xīn de ā yí 。

Do not demean helpful aunts with that gendered label.

剧中的三姑六婆总爱议论婚事。

### Traditional Chinese

劇中的三姑六婆總愛議論婚事。

jù zhōng de sān gū liù pó zǒng ài yì lùn hūn shì 。

The gossiping women in the drama constantly discuss marriages.

她拒绝三姑六婆的闲话，坚持自己的决定。

### Traditional Chinese

她拒絕三姑六婆的閒話，堅持自己的決定。

tā jù jué sān gū liù pó de xián huà ， jiān chí zì jǐ de jué dìng 。

She ignored the meddlesome gossip and stuck to her decision.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%89%E5%A7%91%E5%85%AD%E5%A9%86)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=766&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [三顾茅庐 sān gù máo lú Make repeated sincere invitations ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/san-gu-mao-lu)

- [三缄其口 sān jiān qí kǒu Remain deliberately tight-lipped ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/san-jian-qi-kou)

- [三教九流 sān jiào jiǔ liú People from many walks of life ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/san-jiao-jiu-liu)

- [三令五申 sān lìng wǔ shēn Give repeated, explicit orders or warnings ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/san-ling-wu-shen)

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