A Beginner's Guide to Chinese Family Titles: Understanding Key Terms and Relationships

In Chinese culture, family titles are more detailed compared to English. Here’s a guide to help you understand and use these titles correctly.

1. Direct Family (Immediate Relatives)

1. Parents

  • Father: You can call your father “爸爸” (bàba) in everyday situations. For more formal contexts, use “父亲” (fùqīn).

  • Mother: “妈妈” (māma) is the common term for your mother. In formal situations, you might use “母亲” (mǔqīn).

2. Grandparents

  • Paternal Grandfather: Your father’s father is “爷爷” (yéye) or “祖父” (zǔfù) in formal contexts.

  • Paternal Grandmother: Your father’s mother is “奶奶” (nǎinai) or “祖母” (zǔmǔ).

  • Maternal Grandfather: Your mother’s father is “外公” (wàigōng) or “外祖父” (wàizǔfù).

  • Maternal Grandmother: Your mother’s mother is “外婆” (wàipó) or “外祖母” (wàizǔmǔ).

3. Children

  • Son: You refer to your son as “儿子” (érzi).

  • Daughter: Your daughter is “女儿” (nǚ'ér).

2. Extended Family (Relatives by Marriage)

1. Siblings

  • Older Brother: Your older brother is “哥哥” (gēge).

  • Younger Brother: Your younger brother is “弟弟” (dìdi).

  • Older Sister: Your older sister is “姐姐” (jiějie).

  • Younger Sister: Your younger sister is “妹妹” (mèimei).

2. Uncles and Aunts

  • Paternal Uncle: Your father’s younger brother is “叔叔” (shūshu), and his older brother is “伯伯” (bóbo).

  • Paternal Aunt: Your father’s sister is “姑姑” (gūgu).

  • Maternal Uncle: Your mother’s brother is “舅舅” (jiùjiu).

  • Maternal Aunt: Your mother’s sister is “阿姨” (āyí) or “姨妈” (yímā).

3. In-Laws

1. Spouses

  • Husband: You can call your husband “丈夫” (zhàngfu) or “老公” (lǎogōng) in everyday conversation.

  • Wife: Your wife is “妻子” (qīzi) or “老婆” (lǎopó).

2. In-Law Parents

  • Father-in-Law: Your husband’s father is “公公” (gōnggong) or “岳父” (yuèfù).

  • Mother-in-Law: Your husband’s mother is “婆婆” (pópo) or “岳母” (yuèmǔ).

4. Children’s Families

1. Son-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law

  • Daughter-in-Law: Your son’s wife is “儿媳” (érxí) or “媳妇” (xífù).

  • Son-in-Law: Your daughter’s husband is “女婿” (nǚxù).

2. Grandchildren

  • Grandson: Your son’s son is “孙子” (sūnzi), and your daughter’s son is “外孙” (wàisūn).

  • Granddaughter: Your son’s daughter is “孙女” (sūnnǚ), and your daughter’s daughter is “外孙女” (wàisūnnǚ).

5. Common Mistakes

English speakers might confuse terms like “叔叔” (shūshu) and “伯伯” (bóbo) or “外公” (wàigōng) and “爷爷” (yéye). Remember:

  • Paternal (father’s side) vs. Maternal (mother’s side)

  • Older vs. Younger Siblings

Useful Resources

Use this informative website to easily figure out various relationship terms in Chinese. Give it a try! It’s really fun!

Check out the videos below to further deepen your understanding of Chinese relative words.

 
 
 
Sishu MandarinComment