1.1 Family Vocabulary (家庭)

Core family words

妈妈 (māma) = mother, 爸爸 (bàba) = father, 哥哥 (gēge) = older brother, 弟弟 (dìdi) = younger brother, 姐姐 (jiějie) = older sister, 妹妹 (mèimei) = younger sister.

Age matters

Chinese distinguishes older vs. younger siblings — there is no single word for 'brother' or 'sister.' 家 (jiā) means home/family; 家人 (jiārén) = family members.

More relatives

爷爷 (yéye) = paternal grandfather, 奶奶 (nǎinai) = paternal grandmother, 儿子 (érzi) = son, 女儿 (nǚ'ér) = daughter, 父母 (fùmǔ) = parents.

Key terms

妈妈 / 爸爸

māma / bàba — mother / father

哥哥 / 弟弟

gēge / dìdi — older / younger brother

姐姐 / 妹妹

jiějie / mèimei — older / younger sister

家 / 家人

jiā / jiārén — home·family / family members

爷爷 / 奶奶

yéye / nǎinai — paternal grandfather / grandmother

Try an AP-style question

Your father's father is your…

1. 舅舅 (jiùjiu)
2. 叔叔 (shūshu)
3. 爷爷 (yéye)
4. 外公 (wàigōng)