Hokkien and Chinese Vocabulary Words For Addressing Family Members
Chinoy families, consisting of Chinese immigrants or descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled in the Philippines live in the cusp of Chinese and Filipino cultures. There’s no telling where one culture ends and another one begins; hence the fusion of cultures and the production of new subcultures – Chinoy.
It is evident in their customs, cuisine, and especially their language and how they address family members. Families hold a very important role in Chinoy culture, and understanding the intricate network of familial relationships in the Chinese family tree requires more than just knowing your Chinese vocabulary, it requires an understanding of the values passed down through generations.
Chinese family relations extend beyond words, and encompass a rich tapestry of cultural expressions and traditions. It bridges generations and continents, offering insights into the nuanced dynamics of Chinoy households and their enduring ties to both Chinese heritage and Filipino roots. This linguistic and cultural fusion underscores the unique identity of Chinoy families, where everyday conversations echo with the echoes of centuries-old traditions.
In this guide to Chinese family vocabulary, we’ll help you navigate the intricate network of familial relationships within Chinoy families, blending Chinese heritage with Filipino culture in everyday conversations and family gatherings.
A Guide to the Chinese Family Tree
Understanding the Chinese family structure involves knowing the specific words used to address different family members. These words signify respect and denote the generational hierarchy within the family. Here’s a list of Chinese vocabulary you can use to address family members in Hokkien and Mandarin:
Immediate Family
The immediate family includes parents, siblings, and children. In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on filial piety, with specific terms such as “older brother” in the Chinese language that reflect the generational hierarchy.
English | Tagalog | Hokkien | Mandarin |
Mother / Mama / Mom | Nanay | 媽媽 mâ-mâ / 老母 lǎu-bú | 媽媽 māma / 母亲 mǔqin |
Father / Papa / Dad | Tatay | 爸爸 pâ-pâ / 老爸 lǎu-pě | 爸爸 bàba / 父亲 fùqin |
Eldest Sister | Ate | 阿姊 á-chí | 姐姐 jiějie |
Second Eldest Sister | Ditse | 二姊 lī-chí | 二姐 èrjiě |
Third Eldest Sister | Sanse | 三姊 saⁿ-chí | 三姐 sānjiě |
Eldest Brother | Kuya | 阿兄 a-hiaⁿ / 哥仔 ko–á | 哥哥 gēge |
Second Eldest Brother | Kuya | 二兄 lī-hiaⁿ / 二哥 lī-ko | 二哥 èrgē |
Third Eldest Brother | Sangko | 三兄 saⁿ-hiaⁿ / 三哥 saⁿ-ko | 三哥 sāngē |
Younger Sister | Bunso / Nene | 小妹 sió-bē | 妹妹 mèimei |
Younger Brother | Bunso / Totoy | 小弟 sió-tǐ | 弟弟 dìdi |
Your Wife | Asawa | 太太 thài-thià / 某 bó͘ | 老婆 lǎopó / 妻子 qīzi |
Your Husband | Asawa | 丈夫 tiǒng-hu / 翁 ang | 老公 lǎogōng / 丈夫 zhàngfu |
Daughter | Anak | 查某仔 cha-bó͘-á | 女兒 nǚ’ér |
Son | Anak | 囝 káⁿ (kiáⁿ) / 後生 hau-siⁿ | 兒子 érzi |
HOKKIEN TRANSLATIONS BY 陳立法 | @HEY.JUDSON ON IG
Second Degree Relatives – Mother Side
Beyond knowing how to address your immediate family in Chinese, you should also know how to show respect to your extended family.. Second-degree relatives play an important role in Chinoy culture. Below, you’ll learn how to address extended family on your mother’s side in Hokkien and Mandarin.
English | Tagalog | Hokkien | Mandarin |
Maternal Grandmother | Lola | 外媽 gōa-má | 外婆 wàipó |
Maternal Grandfather | Lolo | 外公 gōa-kong | 外公 wàigōng |
Maternal Aunt | Tita | 阿姨 á-î | 姨母 yímǔ |
Maternal Aunt’s Husband | Tito | 姨丈 î-tiǔⁿ | 姨父 yífu |
Maternal Uncle | Tito | 阿舅 á-kǔ | 舅舅 jiùjiu |
Maternal Uncle’s Wife | Tita | 阿妗 á-kǐm | 舅母 jiùmu |
Older Female Maternal Cousin | Pinsan | 表阿姊 piáu-á-chí | 表姐 biǎojiě |
Younger Female Maternal Cousin | Pinsan | 表小妹 piáu-sió-bē | 表妹 biǎomèi |
Older Male Maternal Cousin | Pinsan | 表阿兄 piáu-á-hiaⁿ | 表哥 biǎogē |
Younger Male Maternal Cousin | Pinsan | 表小弟 piáu-sió-tǐ | 表弟 biǎodì |
Sororal Niece | Pamangkin | 外甥女 gōe-sng-lú | 外甥女 wàishengnǚ |
Sororal Nephew | Pamangkin | 外甥 gōe-sng | 外甥 wàisheng |
HOKKIEN TRANSLATIONS BY 陳立法 | @HEY.JUDSON ON IG
Second Degree Relatives – Father Side
As you have relatives on your mother’s side, so do you on your father’s side. But to denote which side of your family they’re on, there is a different way to address them. Below are the words you’ll use when addressing relatives on your father’s side. Try not to mix things up so you can properly show your respect and converse with ease!
English | Tagalog | Hokkien | Mandarin |
Paternal Grandmother | Lola | 阿媽 a-má | 奶奶 nǎinai |
Paternal Grandfather | Lolo | 俺公 án-kong | 爷爷 yéye |
Paternal Aunt (Father’s Elder Sister) | Tita | 阿姑 á-ko͘ | 姑母 gūmǔ |
Paternal Aunt’s (Father’s Elder Sister) Husband | Tito | 姑丈 ko͘-tiǔⁿ | 姑父 gūfu |
Paternal Uncle (Father’s Elder Brother) | Tito | 阿伯 á-peh | 伯父 bófù |
Paternal Uncle’s (Father’s Elder Brother)
Wife |
Tita | 阿姆 á-ḿ | 伯母 bómǔ |
Paternal Uncle (Father’s Younger Brother) | Tito | 阿叔 á-chiak (á-chek) | 叔叔 shūshu |
Paternal Uncle’s (Father’s Younger Brother) Wife | Tita | 阿嬸 á-chím | 婶婶 shěnshen |
Paternal Aunt’s Daughter
(older cousin) |
Pinsan | 表阿姊 piáu-á-chí | 表姐 biǎojiě |
Paternal Aunt’s Daughter
(younger cousin) |
Pinsan | 表小妹 piáu-sió-bē | 表妹 biǎomèi |
Paternal Aunt’s Son
(older cousin) |
Pinsan | 表阿兄 piáu-á-hiaⁿ | 表哥 biǎogē |
Paternal Aunt’s Son
(younger cousin) |
Pinsan | 表小弟 piáu-sió-tǐ | 表弟 biǎodì |
Paternal Uncle’s Daughter
(older cousin) |
Pinsan | 隔腹阿姊 keh-pak-á-chí | 堂姐 tángjiě |
Paternal Uncle’s Daughter
(younger cousin) |
Pinsan | 隔腹小妹 keh-pak-sió-bē | 堂妹 tángmèi |
Paternal Uncle’s Son
(older cousin) |
Pinsan | 隔腹阿兄 keh-pak-á-hiaⁿ | 堂哥 tánggē |
Paternal Uncle’s Son
(younger cousin) |
Pinsan | 隔腹小弟 keh-pak-sió-tǐ | 堂弟 tángdì |
Fraternal Niece | Pamangkin | 姪女 ti̍t-lú | 侄女 zhínǚ |
Fraternal Nephew | Pamangkin | 姪仔 ti̍t-á | 侄子 zhízi |
HOKKIEN TRANSLATIONS BY 陳立法 | @HEY.JUDSON ON IG
Final Thoughts
Knowing the right way to address different family members is a crucial part of mastering Chinese vocabulary. Not only will it foster deeper connections, they also help maintain the values that have been cherished and passed on for generations. Such values include the importance of family relationships in Chinese culture, filial piety, and honoring ancestors.
Whether you’re part of a Chinoy family or simply interested in their culture, language, and traditions, it helps to learn about Chinese vocabulary and the nuances behind them to gain a richer understanding of the vibrant cultural tapestry of Chinoy culture.