Greetings are important in every culture and you need to be well versed with the right ways to greet someone. When it comes to Chinese culture, they have their own way of greeting people. There is always a great way to address people in Chinese. Addressing people in various culture is deemed respectful which needs to be a norm at all times. Children of young age in China need to learn the way to greet people, which helps in framing their manners and personality. Hence, learn Chinese for kids here.
How to address someone?
- 先生 (xiān sheng)
Meaning: Mr.
- 女士 (nǚ shì)
Meaning: Ms.
- 太太 (tài tai)
Meaning: Mrs.
- 小姐 (xiǎojiě)
Meaning: Miss
How to ask someone’s name?
There are many common words you can use to ask their name politely. It can be formally or informally. When it comes to asking someone’s name, it can also be asking about their family name. This should be deemed important, because if asked in a wrong way, it seems rude and offensive.
- 姓名 (xìng míng)
Meaning: Full name
- 姓 (xìng)
Meaning: Family name
- 名字 (míng zi)
Meaning: Name
Family titles in Chinese
- 父亲 (fù qīn) means Father
- 爸爸 (bà ba) means Dad
- 哥哥 (gē ge) means Older brother
- 弟弟 (dì di) means Younger brother
- 母亲 (mǔ qīn) means Mother
- 妈妈 (mā ma) means Mum
- 姐姐 (jiě jie) means Older Sister
- 妹妹 (mèi mei) means Younger sister
- 老婆 (lǎo pó) means Wife
- 老公 (lǎo gōng) means Husband
- 未婚夫 (wèi hūn fū) means Fiancé
- 未婚妻 (wèi hūn qī) means Fiancée
- 婆婆 (pó po) means Mother-in-law or husband’s mother
- 公公 (gōng gong) means Father-in-law or husband’s mother
- 岳母 (yuè mǔ) means Mother-in-law or wife’s mother
- 岳父 (yuè fù) means Father-in-law or wife’s father
- 儿子 (ér zi) means Son
- 女儿 (nǚ ér) means Daughter
- 侄女 (zhí nǚ) means Niece or brother’s daughter
- 甥女 (shēng nǚ) Niece means sister’s daughter
- 侄子 (zhí zi) means Nephew or brother’s son
- 外甥 (wài shēng) means Nephew or sister’s son
- 孙子 (sūn zi) means Grandson or son’s son
- 外孙 (wài sūn) means Grandson or daughter’s son
- 曾孙 (zēng sūn) means Great-grandson
- 孙女 (sūn nǚ) means Granddaughter or son’s daughter
- 外孙女 (wài sūn nǚ) means Granddaughter or daughter’s daughter
- 曾孙女 (zēng sūn nǚ) means Great-granddaughter