Family Conversations
beginner家庭对话
Master Chinese family vocabulary including kinship terms, life event discussions, holiday greetings, and the classic questions relatives love to ask.
38 words12 phrases2 dialogues~25 min study time
Vocabulary
38 words — click any row for an example sentence
Paternal Family
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 爸爸 | bàba | father; dad | noun |
| 妈妈 | māma | mother; mom | noun |
| 爷爷 | yéye | paternal grandfather | noun |
| 奶奶 | nǎinai | paternal grandmother | noun |
| 叔叔 | shūshu | paternal uncle (father's younger brother) | noun |
| 姑姑 | gūgu | paternal aunt (father's sister) | noun |
Maternal Family
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 外公 | wàigōng | maternal grandfather | noun |
| 外婆 | wàipó | maternal grandmother | noun |
| 舅舅 | jiùjiu | maternal uncle (mother's brother) | noun |
| 阿姨 | āyí | maternal aunt (mother's sister); auntie | noun |
Siblings & Children
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 哥哥 | gēge | older brother | noun |
| 姐姐 | jiějie | older sister | noun |
| 弟弟 | dìdi | younger brother | noun |
| 妹妹 | mèimei | younger sister | noun |
| 孩子 | háizi | child; children | noun |
| 儿子 | érzi | son | noun |
| 女儿 | nǚ'ér | daughter | noun |
Life Events
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 结婚 | jiéhūn | to get married | verb |
| 生孩子 | shēng háizi | to have a baby | verb |
| 毕业 | bìyè | to graduate | verb |
| 退休 | tuìxiū | to retire | verb |
| 搬家 | bānjiā | to move (house) | verb |
Relative Questions
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 对象 | duìxiàng | significant other; partner (romantic) | noun |
| 工资 | gōngzī | salary; wages | noun |
| 买房 | mǎi fáng | to buy a house | verb |
| 催 | cuī | to urge; to nag | verb |
| 操心 | cāoxīn | to worry about; to be concerned about | verb |
Holiday & Greetings
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 过年 | guònián | to celebrate Chinese New Year | verb |
| 红包 | hóngbāo | red envelope (containing money) | noun |
| 团圆 | tuányuán | reunion; to be reunited | noun |
| 年夜饭 | niányèfàn | New Year's Eve dinner | noun |
| 拜年 | bàinián | to pay a New Year visit; to wish Happy New Year | verb |
General Family
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 家人 | jiārén | family members | noun |
| 亲戚 | qīnqi | relatives | noun |
| 照顾 | zhàogù | to take care of; to look after | verb |
| 想念 | xiǎngniàn | to miss (someone) | verb |
| 孝顺 | xiàoshùn | filial piety; to be devoted to one's parents | adjective |
| 吵架 | chǎojià | to quarrel; to argue | verb |
Key Phrases
Essential expressions
你有没有对象？
Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu duìxiàng?
Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
The most dreaded question at Chinese family gatherings, asked by virtually every relative.
工作怎么样？
Gōngzuò zěnmeyàng?
How is work?
A standard question relatives ask, often followed by salary inquiries.
什么时候结婚？
Shénme shíhou jiéhūn?
When are you getting married?
A classic question from relatives pressuring young adults about marriage.
新年快乐，身体健康！
Xīnnián kuàilè, shēntǐ jiànkāng!
Happy New Year, and good health!
A common New Year greeting, especially to elders.
恭喜发财，红包拿来！
Gōngxǐ fācái, hóngbāo ná lái!
Wishing you prosperity! Give me a red envelope!
Children say this playfully to adults during Chinese New Year to receive red envelopes.
你瘦了/胖了。
Nǐ shòu le / pàng le.
You have lost/gained weight.
Chinese relatives commonly comment on weight changes as a form of greeting and observation.
多吃点，别客气！
Duō chī diǎn, bié kèqi!
Eat more! Do not be polite!
What every Chinese parent or grandparent says at the dinner table.
在外面要照顾好自己。
Zài wàimiàn yào zhàogù hǎo zìjǐ.
Take good care of yourself when you are away from home.
What parents say when their children leave home.
什么时候回来看我们？
Shénme shíhou huílái kàn wǒmen?
When will you come back to see us?
Parents asking when their child will visit next.
全家福
quánjiāfú
family photo (with everyone)
Taking a family photo is a tradition at gatherings, especially during holidays.
你什么时候生孩子？
Nǐ shénme shíhou shēng háizi?
When are you going to have children?
Another common question from relatives after marriage.
别催我了！
Bié cuī wǒ le!
Stop nagging me!
A common response from young people tired of being pressured about life milestones.
Dialogues
Practice conversations
Chinese New Year Dinner with Relatives
Xiao Ming comes home for Chinese New Year and is greeted at the dinner table by his parents and relatives with the usual round of questions.
Speaker A
小明，好久不见！你瘦了好多，在外面有没有好好吃饭？
Speaker B
阿姨好！我吃得挺好的，就是工作比较忙。
Speaker A
工作怎么样？工资涨了吗？
Speaker B
工作还行，慢慢来吧。
Speaker A
对了，你现在有没有对象啊？你也不小了，该找一个了。
Speaker B
阿姨，别催我了！等遇到合适的自然就会有的。
Speaker A
好好好，来来来，多吃点，别客气。奶奶包的饺子你最爱吃了。
Speaker B
谢谢阿姨！新年快乐！恭喜发财！
Cultural note: This dialogue captures the quintessential Chinese New Year experience for young adults. Questions about relationships, marriage, salary, and weight are standard topics that relatives bring up out of genuine care, even though younger generations may find them intrusive. The ability to deflect politely is a valued social skill.
Video Call with Parents
Xiao Li, who works in another city, video calls her parents to update them on her life.
Speaker A
妈，爸，好久没见了，你们身体怎么样？
Speaker B
我们都挺好的，你不用操心。你自己呢？工作忙不忙？
Speaker A
最近比较忙，但是一切都顺利。对了，告诉你们一个好消息，我升职了！
Speaker B
真的？太好了！你爸听了一定很高兴。不过你也要注意身体，别太累了。
Speaker A
知道了，妈。你们也要照顾好自己。我过年一定回来看你们。
Speaker B
好！我们等你回来。到时候妈给你做你最爱吃的红烧肉。
Speaker A
太好了，我已经开始想念了！妈，爸，你们早点休息，晚安！
Speaker B
晚安！在外面要照顾好自己！
Cultural note: With so many young Chinese people working in cities far from home, video calls have become a lifeline for family connection. Parents typically express their love through practical concerns about health, eating, and rest rather than direct expressions of affection. The phrase "在外面要照顾好自己" is something nearly every Chinese parent says.
Cultural Notes
Context that textbooks miss
Test Yourself
8 questions covering vocabulary, phrases, and dialogue comprehension.
Take the Family Conversations Quiz (8 questions)→HSK Level Overlap
27 of 38 words appear in HSK levels
Further Reading
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