Beginner course – Lesson 10 of 15
Family Members in Mandarin
Family comes up early in any conversation in Mandarin. The words are more exact than in English, so this guide shows each one clearly.
Close family
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 爸爸 | bàba | Dad |
| 妈妈 | māma | Mum |
| 丈夫 | zhàngfu | Husband |
| 妻子 | qīzi | Wife |
| 儿子 | érzi | Son |
| 女儿 | nǚ'ér | Daughter |
爸爸
bàba
Dad
妈妈
māma
Mum
丈夫
zhàngfu
Husband
妻子
qīzi
Wife
儿子
érzi
Son
女儿
nǚ'ér
Daughter
Brothers and sisters
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 哥哥 | gēge | Older brother |
| 弟弟 | dìdi | Younger brother |
| 姐姐 | jiějie | Older sister |
| 妹妹 | mèimei | Younger sister |
哥哥
gēge
Older brother
弟弟
dìdi
Younger brother
姐姐
jiějie
Older sister
妹妹
mèimei
Younger sister
Grandparents
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 爷爷 | yéye | Grandfather (father's side) |
| 奶奶 | nǎinai | Grandmother (father's side) |
| 外公 | wàigōng | Grandfather (mother's side) |
| 外婆 | wàipó | Grandmother (mother's side) |
爷爷
yéye
Grandfather (father's side)
奶奶
nǎinai
Grandmother (father's side)
外公
wàigōng
Grandfather (mother's side)
外婆
wàipó
Grandmother (mother's side)
Useful questions and answers
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 你家有几口人？ | nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén? | How many people are in your family? |
| 我家有四口人 | wǒ jiā yǒu sì kǒu rén | There are four people in my family |
| 你有兄弟姐妹吗？ | nǐ yǒu xiōngdì jiěmèi ma? | Do you have brothers or sisters? |
| 我有一个哥哥 | wǒ yǒu yí ge gēge | I have an older brother |
你家有几口人？
nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén?
How many people are in your family?
我家有四口人
wǒ jiā yǒu sì kǒu rén
There are four people in my family
你有兄弟姐妹吗？
nǐ yǒu xiōngdì jiěmèi ma?
Do you have brothers or sisters?
我有一个哥哥
wǒ yǒu yí ge gēge
I have an older brother
Want to practise out loud?
Book a one-to-one lesson with me.
Book a Lesson£10 off your first lesson with code NEW10
Other guides
Chinese New Year Greetings in Mandarin
The greetings you will hear everywhere during Spring Festival.
Read the guide
Mandarin vs Cantonese: What Is the Difference?
Where each is spoken, how they differ, and which to learn first.
Read the guide
Simplified vs Traditional Chinese Characters
Where each is used, how they differ, and which to learn.
Read the guide
How Long Does It Take to Learn Mandarin?
Realistic milestones for English speakers, and how to progress faster.
Read the guide