Chinese Family tree Tutormandarin 1-on-1 Chinese online lessons
For many Chinese language learners, family titles in Chinese are for sure a pain in the neck. It might rack your brain just trying to say “uncle” or “cousin” right. In Chinese, they give each family member a title. From your mother’s side to your father’s side, to each generation, and gender…etc. For this reason, Chinese family tree is unquestionably difficult. Today, we’ll make a list of most commonly used family titles. Don’t worry, here’s a small tip. (Just save this as a bookmark and pull it out to review right before Chinese new year dinner.)
While learning a language, it’s also important to get to know it’s culture. All in all, Chinese culture is interesting and fascinating in many ways. Check here to see our other posts about understanding China. Don’t forget to sign up and download the app, get your 1-on-1 free trial to learn Chinese online with a professional tutor!
Great Grandparents/ Grandparents
| Father’s side – | ||
| Great grandfather | 曾祖父 | zēngzǔfù |
| Great grandmother | 曾祖母 | zēngzǔmǔ |
| Mother’s side – | ||
| Great grandfather | 曾外祖父 | zēn wàigzǔfù |
| Great grandmother | 曾外祖母 | zéng wàizǔmǔ |
Grandparents
| Father’s side – | ||
| Grandfather | 爷爷 | yéye |
| Grandmother | 奶奶 | nǎinai |
| Mother’s side – | ||
| Grandfather | 外公 | wàigōng |
| Grandmother | 外婆 | wàipó |
Parents
| Father | 父亲/ 爸爸/ 爹 | fùqīn/ bàba/ diē |
| Mother | 母亲/ 妈妈/ 娘 | mǔqīn/ māmā/ niang |
| Father in Law – | ||
| Husband’s father | 公公 | gōnggōng |
| Wife’s father | 岳父 | yuèfù |
| Mother in Law – | ||
| Husband’s mother | 婆婆 | pópo |
| Wife’s mother | 岳母/ 丈母娘 | yuèmǔ/ zhàngmǔniáng |
Uncle
| Father’s elder brother | 伯父/ 伯伯 | bófù/ bóbo |
| Father’s younger brother | 叔父/ 叔叔 | shúfù/ shūshu |
| Father’s sister’s husband | (大/小) 姑丈 | (dà/xiǎo) gūzhàng |
| Mother’s elder brother | 大舅舅 | dà jiùjiu |
| Mother’s younger brother | 小舅舅 | xiǎo jiùjiu |
| Mother’s sister’s husband | (大/小) 姨丈 | (dà/xiǎo) yízhàng |
Aunt
| Father’s elder sister | 大姑姑/ 姑妈 | dà gūgū/ gūmā |
| Father’s younger sister | 小姑姑 | xiǎo gūgū |
| Father’s brother’s wife | (大/小) 婶婶 | (dà/xiǎo) shěnshen |
| Mother’s elder sister | 大姨妈/大姨母/大阿姨 | dà yímā/dà yímǔ/dà āyí |
| Mother’s younger sister | 小姨妈/小姨母/小阿姨 | xiǎo yímā/xiǎo yímǔ/xiǎo āyí |
| Mother’s brother’s wife | (大/小) 舅妈 | (dà/xiǎo) jiùmā |
Husband/ Wife
| Husband | 老公/ 丈夫/ 先生 | lǎogōng/zhàngfū/xiānshēng |
| Wife | 老婆/ 妻子/太太 | lǎopó/ qīzi/ tàitài |
Siblings
| Siblings | 兄弟姊妹 | xiōngdì zǐmè |
| Older brother | 哥哥/ 大哥/ 老哥 | gēgē/ dàgē/ lǎo gē |
| Younger brother | 弟弟/ 小弟/ 老弟 | dìdì/ xiǎodì/ lǎodì |
| Older sister | 姊姊/ 大姊/ 老姊 | jiě jie/ dà zǐ/ lǎo zǐ |
| Younger sister | 妹妹/ 小妹/ 老妹 | mèi mei/ xiǎo mèi/ lǎo mèi |
| Brother in law | 姊夫/ 妹夫 | jiě fū/ mèifu |
| Sister in law | 嫂子/ 弟妹 | sǎozi/ dìmèi |
Cousin
| Father’s side – | ||
| Cousin | 堂哥/ 堂弟/ 堂姊/ 堂妹 | táng gē/ táng dì/ táng zǐ/ táng mèi |
| Mother’s side – | ||
| Cousin | 表哥/ 表弟/ 表姊/ 表妹 | biǎo gē/ biǎo dì/ biǎo zǐ/ biǎomèi |
Nephew/ Niece
| Nephew | 姪子/外甥 | zhí zi/wàishēng |
| Niece | 姪女/外甥女 | zhí nǚ/wàishēngnǚ |
Son/ Daughter
| Son | 儿子 | érzi |
| Daughter | 女儿 | nǚ’ér |
| Son in law | 女婿 | nǚxù |
| Daughter in law | 媳妇 | xífù |
Grandchildren
| Grandson | 孙子 | sūnzi |
| Granddaughter | 孙女 | sūnnǚ |
As can be seen, Chinese people values a lot in family relationships and roles. Every person in the family has their own title as they’re a part of the family member. Then again, it might be confusing for a non-native Chinese speaker to memorize every title of the Chinese family tree. Just start from the basics, like parents, siblings, and cousins. I’m sure after a few Christmas/ Chinese new year dinner, you’ll stick all those complicated titles in your head!
Check here for our other posts about understanding China. Our last post about What is Leftover women?
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