姻亲
yīnqīn
The English phrase "in-laws" is translated into Chinese as 姻亲 (yīnqīn).
姻亲 is used to describe relatives who are related to someone through marriage. It is a technical term often found in legal or sociological contexts to define the relationship of affinity.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of two parts: 姻, meaning marriage or affinity and 亲, meaning kin or relative.
Which one should you use?
While 姻亲 specifically refers to those related by marriage, the term 亲家 is used to describe the relationship between the two families themselves which have been brought together by a marriage. Additionally, in casual conversation, people often use the broader term 亲戚 to refer to in-laws.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
姻亲 is a formal or technical way to describe these relationships. In informal, everyday conversation, speakers are more likely to use the broader term 亲戚.
How do you pronounce it?
yīnqīn
Did you know?
- The concept of 'in-laws' in Chinese is much more granular than in English, often requiring a different title for every single relative based on their seniority and gender.
- If you are talking about your wife's side of the family, you might refer to them as 娘家, a term that implies the place where a woman 'was born' or her original home.
- The character 姻 in 姻亲 contains the radical for 'woman', highlighting the traditional historical view of marriage as a union involving a woman entering a new family.
Examples in context
- 他们家有很多姻亲。Tāmen jiā yǒu hěnduō yīnqīn.Their family has many in-laws.
- 姻亲关系通常很复杂。Yīnqīn guānxì tōngcháng hěn fùzá.In-law relationships are usually very complex.
- 我们要处理好与姻亲的关系。Wǒmen yào chǔlǐ hǎo yǔ yīnqīn de guānxì.We need to handle relationships with in-laws well.
Example conversation
Two spouses are discussing an upcoming family holiday dinner.
- 梓涵 Zihan俊杰，我们要邀请姻亲一起吃晚餐吗？Jùnjié, wǒmen yào yāoqǐng yīnqīn yīqǐ chī wǎncān ma?Junjie, should we invite the in-laws to have dinner together?
- 俊杰 Junjie好主意，我想念他们了。Hǎo zhǔyì, wǒ xiǎngniàn tāmen le.Good idea, I miss them.
- 梓涵 Zihan那我现在就给他们打电话。Nà wǒ xiànzài jiù gěi tāmen dǎ diànhuà.Then I will call them right now.
- 俊杰 Junjie没问题，梓涵你快打吧。Méi wèntí, Zǐhán nǐ kuài dǎ ba.No problem, Zihan, go ahead and call.
