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How to say "cousin", "male cousin" and "female cousin" in Chinese? Chinese dictionaries have so many words that mean "cousin", "male cousin" or "female cousin". Sometimes I see the prefix "堂", other times "表". Sometimes both do not exist in the Chinese word. Can you explain me the relationship between those prefixes? Then. explain why any of them does not exist in some Chinese words with the same English meaning.
Oct 27, 2019 9:12 PM
Answers · 6
1
1① cp | ②male female | | ③ A B (表~) 2① cp | ②male male | | ③ A B (堂~) 3① cp | ②female female | | ③ A B (姨~) explanation: cp–couple ①–first generation ②–second generation ③–third generation In fact,there are three types of relationships,namely 表,堂,姨.The relationship between A and B depends on the relationship between their parents. 1.If A's father and B's mother are from the same couple,A and B are 表~. 2.If A's father and B's father are from the same couple,A and B are 堂~. 3.If A's mother and B's mother are from the same couple,A and B are 姨~. In ancient China, superiority and inferiority were orderly, so there was a more strict title. People can identify these relationships easily according to these prefixes. Nowdays we don't care much about these as while as it's still a puzzle for some Chinese.So these words can be seen much more less.
October 28, 2019
I'm not sure. Haha. Actually I like the simpler way the English speakers express them.
October 28, 2019
your father side is 堂,堂哥 elder brother cousin,堂姐 elder sister cousin,堂弟younger brother cousin,堂妹 younger sister cousin your mother side is 表, 表哥 elder brother cousin,表姐 elder sister cousin,表弟younger brother cousin,表妹 younger sister cousin
October 28, 2019
the daughters or sons of your mothers brothers or sisters(believed to be less close) the daughters or sons of your fathers brothers or sisters. (believed to be closer to you) Then 堂 and 表 implies subtle difference in closeness.
October 28, 2019
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