Adoption is a beautiful way to expand families and provide children with loving homes. If you’re looking to learn how to say “adopted” in Chinese, this guide will provide you with formal and informal ways to express this concept. We’ll explore different regional variations if necessary, and provide you with plenty of tips and examples to help you along the way.
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Formal Ways to Say Adopted in Chinese
When speaking formally, you can use the following phrases to say “adopted” in Chinese:
- 领养 (lǐng yǎng): This is the most common and formal way to express “adopted” in Chinese. It specifically refers to the act of legally adopting a child. For example, you could say “我被领养了” (wǒ bèi lǐng yǎng le), which means “I was adopted.”
- 收养 (shōu yǎng): This word is also commonly used for “adopted” in Chinese, especially in formal contexts. It has a similar meaning to “领养” (lǐng yǎng). For instance, you could say “他是我收养的孩子” (tā shì wǒ shōu yǎng de hái zi), which means “He is the child I adopted.”
Informal Ways to Say Adopted in Chinese
If you’re in a more casual setting or having a conversation with friends, you can use the following informal ways to say “adopted” in Chinese:
- 领回 (lǐng huí): This phrase is commonly used in informal situations and implies the action of bringing a child home as if they were your own. For example, you could say “我把他领回家了” (wǒ bǎ tā lǐng huí jiā le), which means “I brought him home (adopted him).”
- 收为养子/养女 (shōu wéi yǎng zǐ/yǎng nǚ): This phrase translates to “take as an adopted son/daughter” and is used colloquially to describe the adoption of a child. For instance, you could say “他是我收为养子的” (tā shì wǒ shōu wéi yǎng zǐ de), which means “He is my adopted son.”
Regional Variations
Chinese is a diverse language with regional variations. While the phrases mentioned above are commonly used throughout mainland China, there are slight variations in other Chinese-speaking regions:
In Taiwan: People commonly use the phrase “收養 (shōu yǎng)” to mean “adopted” instead of “领养 (lǐng yǎng)” or “收养 (shōu yǎng)” used in mainland China. For example, you could say “我被收養了” (wǒ bèi shōu yǎng le), which means “I was adopted.”
Tips for Learning and Using Adopted in Chinese
Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when learning and using the term “adopted” in Chinese:
- Context Matters: Always consider the context in which you’re using the term. Formal phrases are more appropriate for official or legal situations, while informal phrases are better suited for casual conversations.
- Practice Pronunciation: Take some time to practice the pronunciation of the phrases. Listen to native speakers, repeat the words, and pay attention to the tones. This will help you communicate more accurately.
- Use Polite Language: When discussing adoption with someone who has been adopted, or when talking about someone’s adoption story, always be sensitive and respectful. Choose your words carefully and use polite language.
Examples
To further illustrate how to use these phrases, here are a few examples:
Example 1:
English: “We adopted a baby girl.”
Formal Chinese: “我们领养了一个女婴。” (wǒ men lǐng yǎng le yí gè nǚ yīng.)
Informal Chinese: “我们领回来一个女婴。” (wǒ men lǐng huí lái yí gè nǚ yīng.)
Example 2:
English: “He is my adopted son.”
Formal Chinese: “他是我领养的儿子。” (tā shì wǒ lǐng yǎng de ér zi.)
Informal Chinese: “他是我收为养子的。” (tā shì wǒ shōu wéi yǎng zǐ de.)
Remember to adapt these examples to your specific situation while considering appropriate formal or informal language usage.
Conclusion
Learning how to say “adopted” in Chinese is a valuable step to effectively communicate and share adoption stories within Chinese-speaking communities. Whether you use the formal phrases “领养 (lǐng yǎng)” or “收养 (shōu yǎng)” or opt for the more informal expressions like “领回 (lǐng huí)” or “收为养子/养女 (shōu wéi yǎng zǐ/yǎng nǚ),” you’ll be able to express this concept with confidence.
Remember to always be mindful of regional variations, and most importantly, approach discussions about adoption with sensitivity, understanding, and warmth.
