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In Chinese, there are various expressions for "family" and "relatives," which can be complicated. However, when it comes to parents and siblings, the Chinese terms are relatively easy to remember. Especially for father, it is "爸爸 (bà ba)" and for mother, it is "妈妈 (mā ma)," which sound similar to their English counterparts.
On the other hand, when it comes to grandparents and relatives, there are completely different names depending on the paternal and maternal sides, and even variations across different regions, which can be confusing.
How to say Family in Chinese?
In Chinese, "family" is referred to as "家人 (jiā rén)" or "家里人 (jiā lǐ rén)." "Relatives" are called "亲属 (qīn shǔ)" or "亲戚 (qīn qi)."
In Chinese, the terms for "father" and "mother" can vary based on the context and level of politeness.
Father |
|
written language |
spoken language |
Fù qin |
Bà ba (Bà) |
Mother |
|
written language |
spoken language |
Mǔ qin |
Mā ma (Mā) |
Express "siblings" in Chinese
Older brother |
Gē ge |
Older sister |
Jiě jie |
Younger brother |
Dì di |
Younger sister |
Mèi mei |
say "grandfather" and "grandmother" in Chinese
In Chinese, "grandfather" can be translated as 爷爷 (yé ye) and "grandmother" as 奶奶 (nǎi nai).
Calling each other by their full names or nicknames is common within Chinese families.
In Chinese culture, it is common for family members to address each other by their full names or nicknames. Calling someone by their full name is a unique aspect of Chinese culture, especially in cases where couples may have different surnames.
In the Chinese drama series "Ode to Joy" (欢乐颂 Huānlè sòng), which I have been watching, one of the main characters, Qu Xiaoxiao (曲筱绡 Qū xiǎo xiāo), is referred to by her older brother and parents using her full name, while Guan Ju'er (关雎尔 Guān jū ěr) is affectionately called "Guan Guan" by her parents.
Collection of Real Life Uses for "Family" in Chinese
My father is planning to go on a business trip to Japan.
Wǒ bà ba jì huà dào Rì běn chū chāi.
我爸爸计划到日本出差.
Mom, come and take a look!
Mā kàn yī kàn.
妈，看一看！
(Holding a conversation with a child) Hey, where did your dad go?
Hái zi, nǐ bà qù nǎ le?
孩子，你爸去哪了？
I often go out to eat with my older sister.
Wǒ cháng cháng gēn wǒ jiě jie yī qǐ qù chī fàn.
我常常跟我姐姐一起去吃饭.
Brother, don't drink too much alcohol!
Gē, bié hē tài duō de jiǔ a.
哥，别喝太多的酒啊！
How is your grandmother's health lately?
Zuì jìn nǐ zǔ mǔ shēn tǐ hǎo ma?
最近，你祖母身体好吗？
My granddaughter has big, adorable eyes.
Wǒ sūn nǚ dà dà de yǎn jing, kě ài de bù dé liǎo.
我孙女大大的眼睛，可爱得不得了。
Source：goeastmandarin.com
Editor：wanwan
