Family and clothing words in Chinese

Before we get into the family vocab, here’s some background. In a traditional Chinese family, everyone has a role: elders are respected and consulted first on major decisions, working-age adults are expected to provide for the household and look after both the older and younger generations, and children historically had little say over their own choices — those were made for them, with the expectation that they’d grow up to look after their own elders in turn.

These days, with many families having just one child, that dynamic has shifted. That one kid can end up as the household’s 小皇帝小皇帝 (“little emperor,” xiǎohuángdì) — getting the best clothes, toys, and food, quick to be upset when things don’t go their way, while also carrying the full weight of their parents’ expectations.

Who’s who

Family Words in Chinese

Putting it all together

Examples

8bā月yuè8bā日rì是shì台灣Táiwān的de父親節fùqīnjié8bā月yuè8bā日rì是shì台湾Táiwān的de父亲节fùqīnjié August 8 is Father’s Day in Taiwan.

我wǒ覺得juéde自己zìjǐ吃飯chīfàn也yě很hěn好hǎo我wǒ觉得juéde自己zìjǐ吃饭chīfàn也yě很hěn好hǎo I think it’s good to eat on your own too.

我wǒ的de狗gǒu常常chángcháng自己zìjǐ玩wán得de很hěn開心kāixīn我wǒ的de狗gǒu常常chángcháng自己zìjǐ玩wán得de很hěn开心kāixīn My dog often has fun by itself.

What to wear

Clothing Words in Chinese

Putting it all together

Examples

這zhè件jiàn外套wàitào太tài大dà了le，有yǒu沒méi有yǒu小xiǎo一點yìdiǎn的de？这zhè件jiàn外套wàitào太tài大dà了le，有yǒu没méi有yǒu小xiǎo一点yìdiǎn的de？ This coat is too big, is there a smaller one?

我wǒ想xiǎng買mǎi一yì頂dǐng帽子màozi，你nǐ有yǒu推薦tuījiàn的de嗎ma？我wǒ想xiǎng买mǎi一yì顶dǐng帽子màozi，你nǐ有yǒu推荐tuījiàn的de吗ma？ I want to buy a hat, do you have a recommendation?

Test yourself

Vocabulary Quiz