Are you curious about how to say “cousins” in Chinese? Whether you want to impress your Chinese-speaking relatives or simply expand your language skills, learning this word will come in handy. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say cousins in Chinese. We’ll also provide you with some tips, examples, and discuss any regional variations if necessary.
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Formal Ways to Say Cousins in Chinese
If you’re looking for a formal way to say “cousins” in Chinese, you can use the term “表亲” (biǎo qīn). This term can be used to refer to both male and female cousins. Chinese society places great emphasis on familial relationships, so respecting these customs will go a long way in showing your understanding and appreciation for Chinese culture.
Tips:
- When addressing specific cousins, it is customary to add their proper title before the term “cousin.” For example, if you are referring to your older male cousin, you would say “大表亲” (dà biǎo qīn).
- If you want to specify the gender of your cousin, you can use the words “表哥” (biǎo gē) for older male cousin, “表姐” (biǎo jiě) for older female cousin, “表弟” (biǎo dì) for younger male cousin, and “表妹” (biǎo mèi) for younger female cousin.
- If you want to refer to all your cousins collectively, you can use the phrase “堂哥堂姐” (táng gē táng jiě) for older male and female cousins, and “堂弟堂妹” (táng dì táng mèi) for younger male and female cousins.
Examples:
Here are some examples of using formal terms for cousins in Chinese:
他是我大表亲。
(Tā shì wǒ dà biǎo qīn.)
He is my older cousin.
她是我表妹。
(Tā shì wǒ biǎo mèi.)
She is my younger cousin.
Informal Ways to Say Cousins in Chinese
If you’re in a casual setting or with close family members, you can use less formal terms for cousins. Here are some examples:
Terms for Male Cousins:
- “表哥” (biǎo gē) – older male cousin
- “堂兄” (táng xiōng) – older male cousin from the same paternal side
- “堂弟” (táng dì) – younger male cousin from the same paternal side
- “表弟” (biǎo dì) – younger male cousin
Terms for Female Cousins:
- “表姐” (biǎo jiě) – older female cousin
- “堂姐” (táng jiě) – older female cousin from the same paternal side
- “堂妹” (táng mèi) – younger female cousin from the same paternal side
- “表妹” (biǎo mèi) – younger female cousin
Examples:
Here are some examples of using informal terms for cousins in Chinese:
大表哥，你好吗？
(Dà biǎo gē, nǐ hǎo ma?)
Hello, older male cousin. How are you?
堂妹，我们一起去逛街吧。
(Táng mèi, wǒmen yīqǐ qù guàng jiē ba.)
Cousin, let’s go shopping together.
Regional Variations
Chinese is a diverse language with regional variations. While the terms mentioned above are widely understood and used, it’s worth noting that some dialects may have their own variations for addressing cousins. However, these variations are not considered standard Mandarin Chinese. It’s always a good idea to ask native speakers about any regional differences if you’re unsure.
Conclusion
Now that you have learned the formal and informal ways to say “cousins” in Chinese, you can confidently engage in conversations with Chinese-speaking relatives or friends. Remember to pay attention to the formalities and address specific cousins with their proper titles. By showing respect for Chinese culture and using appropriate terms, you can strengthen your familial bonds and deepen your language skills.
