Family and Friends: Describing Relationships
Build your Chinese vocabulary for the people in your life. Learn the characters for your family and friends, including the different words for older and younger brothers and sisters.
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Words for family and friends
This module builds your Chinese vocabulary for the people in your life: your family and your friends. Chinese is written in characters, and each word is shown with its English meaning. One thing to watch for: Chinese uses different words for older and younger brothers and sisters.
People in your life
Start with four words for the people closest to you. Each Chinese word is shown with its English meaning.
Match the person
- 爸爸
- 妈妈
- 哥哥
- 姐姐
- Dad
- Mum
- Older brother
- Elder sister
Find the word
Which Chinese word means "friend"?
- 朋友
- 家
- 宠物
- 儿子
Older or younger?
Chinese does not have one word for brother or one for sister. The word depends on whether they are older or younger than you.
Match more people
- 弟弟
- 妹妹
- 儿子
- 女儿
- Younger brother
- Younger sister
- Son
- Daughter
Older and younger matter
Remember the age split. An older brother is 哥哥 and a younger brother is 弟弟. An elder sister is 姐姐 and a younger sister is 妹妹. Always think about who is older before you choose the word.
Choose the word
A person you like who is not family is a _____. An animal kept at home is a _____. The people you are related to are your _____. Your father is your _____. Your mother is your _____.
Family members
Which of these Chinese words are members of a family? Choose all that apply.
- 爸爸
- 妈妈
- 儿子
- 朋友
- 宠物
Tap the family
An interactive activity.
Introduce your family
An interactive activity.
Older or younger?
Which Chinese word means an older brother?
- 哥哥
- 弟弟
- 姐姐
- 爸爸
Introduce your family
An interactive activity.
Your turn
An interactive activity.