Chinese Family Tree: Multigenerations

The multi-generation Chinese family tree: an illustration

If you are one who watches Chinese period dramas, you may be familiar with the rather sinister phrase ofmn mn cho zhn, hu mi ji z which refers to the execution of ones immediate family, followed by all other relatives within nine generations, namely those directly related to: 1. Great great grandfather gao zu 2. Great grandfather zeng zu 3. Grandfather zu 4. Father fu 5. Oneself 6. Son zi 7. Grandson sun 8. Great grandson zeng sun 9. Great great grandson xuan sun This form of punishment in ancient times ensures a thorough elimination of a persons clan of relatives to prevent any form of revenge or retaliation. Whilst thankfully it has been some time since we last heard of such unforgiving behaviour, this is a good example we can use to lend some context to the terminology used to designate different generations of the Chinese family. In Chinese family tree: Introduction, we saw a simple 3 generation relationship chart for ones siblings, parents and children. In this article we will move vertically along the family kinship chart. Don't worry, there is no need to go the full nine (pun intended!) yards. Beyond the 2 generations above and below the narrator wo, the naming conventions are pretty much the same - all you need is to add the corresponding prefix of gao (4 generations above) zeng (3 generations removed both ways) and xuan (4 generations below).

Some rules:

Grandparents:
We differentiate maternal grandparents from paternal grandparents. The term wai which means outside is used as a prefix for relatives descended from the female side of the family, a throwback from feudal times where males are accorded superior status to females in the family. Paternal grandparents: ye ye nai nai

Maternal grandparents: wai gong wai po

Grandchildren:
The offspring of male descendants is given the title sun. The offspring of female descendants is addressed with the suffix wai as well. (from sons side) Grandson: sun zi; spouse: sun xi fu Granddaughters sun nu; spouse sun nu xu

(from daughters side) Grandson: wai sun; spouse: wai sun xi fu Granddaughter: wai sun nu; spouse: wai sun nu xu.

Multiple grandchildren
Similar to how you would differentiate the different multiple siblings, we use numbers to rank the grandchildren according to their age.

Regional variations
Some form of regional variations exists as well and there is no one set of family relationship terminology that would fit every part of the Chinese speaking world.

Formal titles versus Direct greetings

We continue the list of formal titles versus informal greeting terms for relatives below. Recall from the previous article that the Chinese has 2 sets of terms for addressing relatives. Informal greetings are used to address a relative in person while formal titles are often used when referring to them in an indirect way. Both can be used interchangeably but could come across as unnatural in certain situations. Direct address Formal title

Paternal Grandfather Paternal Grandmother Maternal Grandfather Maternal Grandmother Father Mother Parents Husband Wife

y ye ni nai gng gong p po b ba m ma b m lo gng lo p

z f z m wi z f wi z m fqn mqn f m qn zhng f q zi / ti ti

Go to next article "The Chinese Family Tree: Maternal Relatives" This is part 2 of a 4-part series of articles on the Chinese Family Tree. For a more comprehensive reading, you may like to visit: