Addressing relatives in English is fairly simple: there are aunties and uncles, and for the older generation, grand-aunties and grand-uncles. Translate these into Mandarin, with a different name for each relative based on their relative age to you, and most of us draw a blank. How do we remember the proper names for family members we only meet once a year, if then?
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To avoid an embarassing faux pax when the inevitable moment for greeting arrives, we’ve compiled a list of the most common family members’ names in Mandarin. But first, you’ll have to know how you’re related to the relative in question; sorry, we can’t help you there!