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How to address your family member?

How to address your family member?
Family photo
© Pixabay
Chinese kinship terms are comparatively complicated. In China, it’s very impolite to call the elders’ names. Let’s have a look at how to address some relatives.Audio

  • yéye — grandfather
  • nǎinai — grandmother
  • lǎoyé — maternal grandfather
  • lǎolao — maternal grandmother
  • bàba — father
  • māma — mother
  • shūshu — uncle (father’s side)
  • āyí — aunt (mother’s side)
  • érzi — son
  • nǚ ér — daughter
  • gēge — elder brother
  • jiějie — elder sister
  • dìdi — younger brother
  • mèimei — younger sister
© Shanghai International Studies University
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