Family
- Father：爸爸 bàba
- Mother：妈妈 māma
- Older brother：哥哥 gēge
- Older sister：姐姐 jiějie
- Younger brother：弟弟 dìdi
- Younger sister：妹妹 mèimei
- Siblings：兄弟姐妹 xiōngdìjiěmèi
- Relatives：亲戚 qīnqi
Grandparents
Dad’s side
- Grandmother：奶奶 nǎinai
- Grandfather：爷爷 yéye
Mum’s side
- Grandmother：外婆 wàipó
- Grandfather：外公 wàigōng
Using the character 外 wài in Chinese shows “outside” in talking about family members highlights how families used to be mostly focused on the father’s side in the past. This was common due to the way families were organized.
However, things change over time. In Taiwan, younger people seem to be moving away from these traditional ideas and choosing more loving words for their grandparents. They now use 阿公 agōng for both grandfathers and 阿嬤 amà for both grandmothers, no matter if they’re from the father’s or mother’s side. This change shows that families are becoming more equal and united.
Your Own Family
- Husband：丈夫zhàngfu
- Wife：妻子 qīzi
- Parents：父母 fùmǔ
- Son：儿子 érzi
- Daughter：女儿 nǚér
- Child：孩子 háizi
In Chinese, there are special words to call your husband or wife. 老公 lǎogōng is like saying “husband” or “hubby” in English, and it’s used with a lot of care and love. Likewise, 老婆 lǎopó is a sweet word for your wife or partner, similar to saying “wife” or “wifey” in English. These words show how close and connected a couple is, and people often use them when they want to show how much they care for each other. It’s like a warm way of talking between couples that makes them feel close and happy.
Family Part 2 – You’d better give up 😵💫
Uncle
- Father’s older brother：伯父 bófù
- Father’s younger brother：叔叔 shúshu
- Father’s sister’s husband：姑丈 gūzhàng
- Mother’s brother：舅舅 jiùjiu
- Mother’s sister’s husband：姨丈 yízhàng
Aunt
- Father’s sister：姑姑 gūgu
- Father’s brother’s wife：婶婶 shěnshen
- Mother’s sister：姨妈 yímā or 阿姨 āyí
- Mother’s brother’s wife：舅妈 jiùmā
Cousin
Dad’s side
- Older male cousin：堂哥 tánggē
- Younger male cousin：堂弟 tángdì
- Older female cousin：堂姊 tángjiě
- Younger female cousin：堂妹 tángmèi
Mum’s side
- Older male cousin：表哥 biǎogē
- Younger male cousin：表弟 biǎodì
- Older female cousin：表姊 biǎojiě
- Younger female cousin：表妹 biǎomèi
Niece/Nephew
Brother’s side
- Niece：侄女 zhínǚ
- Nephew：侄子 zhízi
Sister’s side
- Niece：外甥女 wàishengnǚ
- Nephew：外甥 wàisheng
In-Laws
Husband’s side
- Husband’s father：公公 gōnggong
- Husband’s mother：婆婆 pópo
Wife’s side
- Wife’s father：岳父 yuèfù
- Wife’s mother：岳母 yuèmǔ
Siblings’ side
- Older sister’s husband：姐夫 jiěfū
- Younger sister’s husband：妹夫 mèifū
- Older brother’s wife：嫂子 sǎozi
- Younger brother’s wife：弟妹 dìmèi
