‘家姆’ (jiā mǔ) is a historical term referring to a female household tutor or governess, typically employed by wealthy families in pre-modern China to educate children—especially girls—in etiquette, literature, needlework, and Confucian moral principles. The character 家 (jiā) means 'household' or 'family', while 姆 (mǔ) specifically denotes a maternal female educator or nurse-tutor, often implying seniority and trusted authority within the domestic sphere.

This role was distinct from formal schoolteachers and carried strong connotations of intimacy, moral guidance, and private instruction. Though largely obsolete today, ‘家姆’ appears in classical literature, historical novels, and scholarly discussions of traditional education and gender roles. It reflects the Confucian emphasis on home-based moral cultivation and the social expectation that women’s learning occurred under female supervision within the inner quarters of the home.