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The Chinese Family Tree || How Does It Work?
The Chinese Family Tree takes some getting used to, but it’s not as bad as you think!
We explain how to decode it all here!
As if learning Mandarin Chinese wasn’t difficult enough, with the thousands of characters and the five tones to deal with, they had to have a crazy large amount of words to describe family members and Chinese names.
Whereas in English we can condense it down to something much easier to understand, it isn’t the case with Mandarin.
The complicated Chinese family tree is one that leaves you scratching your head, but don’t worry. We’ve prepared this superb guide (including some great images to share) which will help you very much along the way!
Let’s dive straight in.
Chinese Family Tree | Importance of address in Chinese
Chinese Family Tree | Immediate Family
Chinese Family Tree | Grandma/Grandpa
Chinese Family Tree | Uncle
Chinese Family Tree | Aunt
Chinese Family Tree | Cousin
Chinese Family Tree | Niece/Nephew
Chinese Family Tree | The In-laws
BONUS | Chinese Relatives Calculator
DOWNLOAD | The Full Family Tree Graphic
Are you ready…?!
Importance of Address in Chinese
Coming to China, you may have noticed the importance of addressing people and learning about etiquette and traditions.
Depending on your age, whether you are male or female, and in what capacity you’re meeting somebody, you will be addressed as something else.
Upon first coming to China, I was horrified with the number of people calling me ‘ 美女 (Měinǚ)’ which literally translates to ‘beautiful woman’.
I’m pretty confident with my looks… But to be called this several times a day…
In England, it would be pretty creepy. But, I soon learned that it is just a polite form of address.
Others you’ll come across in day to day life include:
帅哥 – shuàigē: Used towards a male in a friendly way (lit. handsome guy)
大哥 – dàgē: Said towards any male to show respect
小姐姐 – xiǎo jiějie: This is a newer term that crept up in Chinese social media, said to younger women
师傅 – shīfù: A term of respect said towards workers e.g. taxi driver
叔叔 – shūshu: A term of respect said to an older person
阿姨 – āyí: Said to older women
老外 – lǎowài: The Chinese word for ‘foreigner’ – you’ll hear this a lot! Lit. Old outsider
同事 – tóngshì: You’ll hear this at work, meaning ‘colleague’
Interestingly enough, you will also hear Chinese people referring to their “brothers 哥哥 gēge” and “sisters 姐姐 jiějiě” meaning that they are just close friends, but not actually family members.
So it is always confusing when someone introduces a group of guys as their “brothers” and you wonder just how many kids are in their family…!
This is also said for “Uncle 叔叔 shūshu” and “aunt 阿姨 āyí”.
Still with us?!
Using the correct terminology is very important in Chinese culture, and this doesn’t stop with family members either!
So, let’s start with the basics.
Immediate Family Members
| English | Characters | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| Mom | 妈妈 | māma |
| Dad | 爸爸 | bàba |
| Wife | 妻子 / 老婆 | qīzi / lǎopó |
| Husband | 丈夫 / 老公 | zhàngfū / lǎogōng |
| Older brother | 哥哥 | gēge |
| Older sister | 姐姐 | jiějie |
| Younger brother | 弟弟 | dìdi |
| Younger sister | 妹妹 | mèimei |
| Son | 儿子 | érzi |
| Daughter | 女儿 | nǚ’ér |
Chinese Family Tree: Grandma/Grandpa
Dad’s side:
| Grandmother | 奶奶 | Nǎinai |
| Grandfather | 爷爷 | Yéye |
Mum’s side:
| Grandmother | 外婆 | Wài pó |
| Grandfather | 外公 | Wàigōng |
Chinese Family Tree: Uncle
Dad’s Side:
| Older brother | 伯伯 | Bóbo |
| Younger brother | 叔叔 | Shūshu |
| Older sister’s husband | 姑父 | Gūfù |
| Younger sister’s husband | 姑父 | Gūfù |
Mum’s Side:
| Older or younger brother | 舅舅 | Jiùjiu |
Chinese Family Tree: Aunt
Dad’s Side:
| Older sister | 姑妈 | Gūmā |
| Younger sister | 姑姑 | Gūgu |
| Older brother’s wife | 伯母 | Bómǔ |
| Younger brother’s wife | 婶婶 | Shěnshen |
Mum’s Side:
| Older sister | 姨妈 | Yímā |
| Younger sister | 阿姨 | Āyí |
| Brother’s wife | 舅母 | Jiùmǔ |
Things That Shocked Me About China
Culture Shock in China can happen to anyone at any time, and it affects everyone differently. China, however, is in a whole different league. We explain why.
Chinese Family Tree: Cousin
Dad’s Side:
| Dad’s Brother’s/sister’s son (if older than you) | 堂兄 | Táng xiōng |
| Brother’s/sister’s son (if younger than you) | 堂弟 | Táng dì |
Then the daughters…
| Brother’s/sister’s daughter (if older than you) | 堂姐 | Táng jiě |
| Brother’s/sister’s daughter (if younger than you) | 堂妹 | Táng Mèi |
Mum’s Side:
| Mum’s Brother’s/sister’s son (if older than you) | 表哥 | Biǎo gē |
| Brother’s/sister’s son (if younger than you) | 表弟 | Biǎo dì |
Then the daughters…
| Brother’s/sister’s daughter (if older than you) | 表姐 | Biǎo jiě |
| Brother’s/sister’s daughter (if younger than you) | 表妹 | Biǎo mèi |
Chinese Family Tree: Niece/Nephew
Niece:
| Brother’s daughter | 侄女 | zhínǚ |
| Sister’s daughter | 外甥女 | wàishengnǚ |
Nephew:
| Brother’s son | 侄子 | zhízi |
| Sister’s son | 外甥 | wàisheng |
Chinese Family Tree: The In-Laws
Father-in-law:
| Husband’s father | 公公 | gōnggong |
| Wife’s father | 岳父 | yuèfù |
Mother-in-law:
| Husband’s mother | 婆婆 | pópo |
| Wife’s mother | 岳母 | yuèmǔ |
Brother-in-law:
| Your older sister’s husband | 姐夫 | Jiěfū |
| Your younger sister’s husband | 妹夫 | Mèifū |
Sister-in-law:
| Your older brother’s wife | 嫂子 | Sǎo zi |
| Your younger brother’s wife | 弟妹 | Dìmèi |
So, that’s about it (!)
What makes it more complicated, however, is that in different Mandarin Chinese dialects – things change around, and different areas in China have different preferences of how to refer to their family members.
Does your head hurt yet?
Whilst you shouldn’t worry too much about memorising all of these, it’s something fun to learn and will definitely impress your Chinese (and foreign) mates.
Plus, it will certainly make a good impression if you’re meeting a Chinese family over Chinese New Year!
You can further expand your knowledge of how the family tree grows by checking out our post about Chinese pregnancy traditions to read bout traditions female family members will follow!
BONUS | Chinese Relatives Calculator
When there’s a problem, the internet usually has a solution! Introducing: the Chinese Relatives Calculator.
This will certainly make things a lot easier when in doubt!
These app allow you to check a relative’s title, so you don’t call them by the wrong one.
Enter a few details such as gender and type of relation with the person, the proper title name will appear for you to use immediately!
Download here:
Enjoy!
DOWNLOAD
Ready for the big one?
It took our star sales/marketing wizard Katie hours on end to make this so we hope you appreciate it! 👇👇👇
Chinese Family Members – Quiz
If you enjoyed this article, why not check out how to say:
Chinese Family Tree – FAQ’s
How do you say Mother in Chinese?
Mother in Chinese is – 妈妈 (māma).
How do you say Father in Chinese?
Dad in Chinese is – 爸爸 (bàba).
How do you say Older Brother in Chinese?
Older brother in Chinese is – 哥哥 (Gēgē).
How do you say Older Sister in Chinese?
Older sister in Chinese is – 姐姐 (Jiějiě).
How do you say Wife in Chinese?
Wife actually has two words you can use in Chinese. Either suffice, they are 妻子 (Qīzi) or 老婆 (lǎopó).
How do you say Husband in Chinese?
Husband actually has two words you can use in Chinese. Either suffice, they are 丈夫 (Zhàngfū) or 老公 (lǎogōng).
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13 comments
That was A.W.E.S.O.M.E !!! And I don’t even think I can name that many people in my own family, whether in French or English!!! 哈哈哈！ Thank you!
So good isn’t it but my word what a headache!
Suppose we best get memorising them as fast as possible!
you left out mum’s side (mum’s) sister’s husband (姨夫)!
Nice spot! There are just so many aren’t there!
Thanks a lot
what’s your wife brother called then?
i don’t think you should call it “unnecessarily” complicated, that’s kind of a mean thing to call a language that this entire website is about. it’s very specific, so you know exactly who you’re talking about, and when you say “my cousin” your friends will know exactly who you’re talking about and whose side they’re on.
Your mum in Chinese?
你的妈妈 😁
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