‘舅父’ is a formal, respectful term for one’s mother’s brother — that is, a maternal uncle. The character 舅 (jiù) specifically means ‘maternal uncle’, while 父 (fù) means ‘father’ or ‘male elder’, so together they literally convey ‘uncle-father’, emphasizing both kinship and seniority. This term is commonly used in written Chinese, formal speech, or when addressing or referring to the uncle with deference — especially in traditional contexts, official documents, or family ceremonies.

Unlike the more colloquial 舅舅 (jiù jiu), which is affectionate and widely used in daily conversation, 舅父 carries a tone of respect and distance; it’s rarely used as a direct form of address in casual settings. It may also appear in historical texts, legal descriptions of family relations, or genealogical records. Learners should note that this term applies exclusively to the mother’s side — the father’s brother is called 伯父 (bó fù) or 叔父 (shū fù), not 舅父.