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A2 noun #7,200 más común 10 min de lectura

外甥女

wài shēng nǚ Top 7,200

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 外甥女 en 30 segundos

Explicación 外甥女 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that '外甥女' (wàishengnǚ) means 'niece'. You can think of it as 'sister's daughter'. You might use it in very simple sentences like '我有外甥女' (I have a niece) or '她很可爱' (She is very cute). Don't worry too much about the complicated family tree logic yet; just focus on the basic meaning and the fact that it refers to a girl in your family who is the child of your sister.

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At the A2 level, you should start to distinguish between '外甥女' (sister's daughter) and '侄女' (brother's daughter). You should be able to use measure words like '个' (个) with it. For example: '我有一个外甥女' (I have one niece). You should also be able to describe her age or appearance using basic adjectives. This level is about using the word in common daily conversations about family members.

At the B1 level, you should understand the cultural reason why '外' (wài) is used—it means 'outside' because your sister's children are technically part of another family line. You can use the word in more complex sentences, such as '我外甥女下个月要来北京看我' (My niece is coming to Beijing to see me next month). You should also be familiar with the male version, '外甥' (wàisheng).

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At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '外甥女' in various social contexts, including formal introductions and written narratives. You should understand the nuances of the 'Wai/Nei' distinction and how it reflects traditional Chinese social structures. You might also encounter the term in literature or news reports and should be able to identify the exact relationship without hesitation.

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At the C1 level, you should be able to discuss the sociological implications of kinship terms like '外甥女'. For instance, you could talk about how the One-Child Policy has made these specific terms less common in practice but still linguistically significant. You should also know related terms like '表外甥女' (daughter of a maternal cousin) and understand the legal implications of these terms in inheritance or family law.

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At the C2 level, you should have a native-like command of the term, including its use in classical literature, regional dialects, and complex legal or academic discussions. You can explain the historical evolution of the character '甥' and how the kinship system has shifted from ancient times to the modern era. You should be able to use the term with perfect precision in any context, from a casual joke to a formal genealogical study.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

外甥女 en 30 segundos

外甥女 (wàishengnǚ) specifically refers to your sister's daughter.
It is distinguished from 侄女 (zhínǚ), which is your brother's daughter.
The '外' (wài) prefix indicates she is an 'outer' relative in the patrilineal system.
Used commonly in family contexts and essential for correct Chinese kinship address.

The term 外甥女 (wài sheng nǚ) is a specific kinship term in Chinese that translates to 'maternal niece' in English—specifically, the daughter of one's sister. To understand this word, one must first understand the fundamental structure of the Chinese kinship system, which is patrilineal and distinguishes between 'inner' (内 - nèi) and 'outer' (外 - wài) relatives. The character 外 (wài) literally means 'outside' or 'external.' In traditional Chinese logic, when a woman marries, she becomes part of her husband's family. Therefore, her children are considered 'outside' relatives to her original family. This is why your sister's daughter is your wàishengnǚ, whereas your brother's daughter (who keeps the family name in traditional contexts) is your zhínǚ (侄女).

Etymological Breakdown: The word is composed of three characters: 外 (wài - outside), 甥 (shēng - sister's child), and 女 (nǚ - female). The middle character 甥 historically referred to the children of a sister or a daughter, emphasizing the blood connection through a female line that has 'branched out' from the main patrilineal trunk.
Social Context: In modern China, while the 'inner/outer' distinction is less about social hierarchy than it used to be, the linguistic distinction remains vital. Using the correct term shows respect for family structure and clarity in lineage. You would use this word when introducing your sister's daughter to friends or when discussing family trees. It is used by both uncles (mothers' brothers) and aunts (mothers' sisters).

这是我的外甥女，她今年刚上大学。(Zhè shì wǒ de wàishengnǚ, tā jīnnián gāng shàng dàxué.)
— Translation: This is my niece (sister's daughter); she just started university this year.

The term is also a reflection of the 'Five Degrees of Mourning' (五服 - wǔfú) system in ancient China, which categorized relatives based on how closely they were related to the patriarchal head. Because the wàishengnǚ belongs to a different surname group (usually her father's), she is technically 'outside' the primary clan. However, in contemporary urban China, especially after decades of the One-Child Policy, these distinctions are sometimes simplified in casual speech, though wàishengnǚ remains the standard and precise term for formal introductions and legal documents.

我给外甥女买了一件漂亮的新衣服。(Wǒ gěi wàishengnǚ mǎile yī jiàn piàoliang de xīn yīfu.)

Furthermore, the relationship between a maternal uncle (舅舅 - jiùjiu) and his wàishengnǚ is historically significant in Chinese culture. There is a proverb, '天上雷公，地上的舅公' (Thunder in the sky, the maternal uncle on earth), implying the uncle's high status and protective role over his sister's children. Thus, referring to her as your wàishengnǚ carries a sense of protective responsibility.

Regional Variations: In some Southern dialects or colloquial Cantonese, you might hear variations, but in Standard Mandarin (Putonghua), wàishengnǚ is the universal standard. In very informal settings, some might shorten it to wàisheng, but this is technically gender-neutral or masculine, so adding the 'nǚ' (female) is essential for clarity.

Using 外甥女 correctly requires an understanding of Chinese possessives and measure words. The most common measure word used with this noun is gè (个), though míng (名) can be used in more formal or written contexts. Because it is a kinship term, it often follows the possessive particle de (的), as in 'my niece' (我的外甥女).

我有两个外甥女，她们都长得很像我姐姐。(Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè wàishengnǚ, tāmen dōu zhǎng de hěn xiàng wǒ jiějie.)
— I have two nieces; they both look very much like my older sister.

Grammatical Pattern: Subject + Verb + (Possessive) + 外甥女: This is the simplest way to identify the relationship. Example: '她是我姐姐的外甥女' (Actually, this would mean she is your sister's niece, which would be your own daughter or your brother's daughter! Be careful with nested kinship terms). Correct usage: '她是我姐姐的女儿，也就是我的外甥女.'
Grammatical Pattern: Giving/Doing something for the niece: Using '给' (gěi) or '为' (wèi). Example: '我给外甥女买了一本书' (I bought a book for my niece).

When describing the niece, you can use various adjectives. Since wàishengnǚ usually refers to someone younger than the speaker, adjectives like kě'ài (可爱 - cute), cōngmíng (聪明 - smart), or tiao-pí (调皮 - naughty) are frequent companions. In Chinese culture, it is very common to praise the children of one's siblings as a way of showing affection to the sibling themselves.

我的小外甥女特别喜欢画画。(Wǒ de xiǎo wàishengnǚ tèbié xǐhuān huàhuà.)
— My little niece especially loves drawing.

In more complex sentences involving time or duration, wàishengnǚ functions like any other noun. For example: '我已经三年没见过我的外甥女了' (I haven't seen my niece for three years). Note how the possessive '我的' is used to specify the relationship. In Chinese, it is often dropped if the context is clear, but in this case, it adds clarity.

舅舅对外甥女总是非常大方。(Jiùjiu duì wàishengnǚ zǒngshì fēicháng dàfāng.)
— The maternal uncle is always very generous to his niece.

You will encounter the word 外甥女 most frequently in the context of family gatherings and domestic life. China's culture is deeply rooted in family ties, and the specific terms used to address or describe relatives are a significant part of daily social interaction. During the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival), you will hear this word constantly as uncles and aunts distribute 'Hongbao' (red envelopes) to their nieces and nephews.

The Family Reunion Dinner: Imagine a large table with three generations. A woman might say to her husband, '快看，你外甥女又长高了' (Look, your niece has grown taller again). Here, the word acts as a bridge between different branches of the family tree.
Workplace Small Talk: In China, colleagues often talk about their family lives. A co-worker might say, '我周末得去参加我外甥女的婚礼' (I have to attend my niece's wedding this weekend). This provides a specific image of which side of the family is hosting the event.

“你外甥女在哪儿工作？” “她在上海当律师。”
— "Where does your niece work?" "She is a lawyer in Shanghai."

You will also hear this word in Chinese TV dramas (especially 'family ethics' dramas or jiātíng lúnlǐ jù). These shows often revolve around complex family relationships where the distinction between paternal and maternal relatives can drive the plot—for example, a maternal uncle helping his sister's daughter through a financial crisis. In these narratives, the wàishengnǚ is often portrayed as a beloved figure who links the protagonist to their sister.

In literature, particularly in classic novels like Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦), the precision of kinship terms like wàishengnǚ is crucial for the reader to track the intricate web of alliances and rivalries. While modern life is simpler, the emotional resonance of the word remains: it signifies a bond that is 'blood,' yet 'extended.'

他把那条项链送给了他最疼爱的外甥女。(Tā bǎ nà tiáo xiàngliàn sònggěile tā zuì téng'ài de wàishengnǚ.)
— He gave that necklace to his most beloved niece.

The most pervasive mistake for English speakers learning Chinese is the 'One-Size-Fits-All' error. In English, 'niece' is a catch-all term. In Chinese, it is not. If you call your brother's daughter your 外甥女, you are technically saying she is your sister's daughter, which can lead to significant confusion during family introductions.

Mistake #1: Confusing Wàishengnǚ with Zhínǚ: Remember the 'Sister Rule': Sister's daughter = 外甥女 (Wàishengnǚ). Brother's daughter = 侄女 (Zhínǚ). A helpful mnemonic is that 'Wài' means 'outside,' and traditionally a sister marries 'out' of the family.
Mistake #2: Gender Confusion with Wàisheng: Sometimes learners drop the nǚ (female) and just say wàisheng. While wàisheng can occasionally be used as a collective term for 'sister's children,' it usually defaults to 'nephew' (sister's son). If you are talking about a girl, you must include nǚ.

Incorrect: 我哥哥的女儿是我的外甥女。 (Wǒ gēge de nǚ'ér shì wǒ de wàishengnǚ.)
Correct: 我哥哥的女儿是我的侄女。 (Wǒ gēge de nǚ'ér shì wǒ de zhínǚ.)

Another mistake involves the 'One-Child Policy' generation. Because many young Chinese people do not have siblings, they do not have actual wàishengnǚ. However, they might refer to the daughters of their 'cousin-sisters' (表姐/妹) using similar terms. In strict linguistic terms, the daughter of a biǎojiě (maternal female cousin) would be a biǎo wàishengnǚ (表外甥女), but in casual speech, people often drop the 'biǎo'. As a learner, stick to the strict definition first to avoid confusion.

Finally, don't confuse wàishengnǚ with sūnnǚ (孙女 - granddaughter). While both are younger female relatives, sūnnǚ is your son's daughter. The 'nǚ' at the end of many kinship terms can make them sound similar to a beginner's ear, so it is important to memorize the prefix characters (外甥 vs 侄 vs 孙) as distinct units of meaning.

In the rich tapestry of Chinese kinship, several words are closely related to 外甥女. Understanding these helps you navigate family conversations without getting lost in the 'Who's Who' of a Chinese family tree.

侄女 (Zhínǚ): Difference: This is your brother's daughter.
Usage: Use this if the girl's father is your brother. In traditional culture, she is an 'inner' relative because she shares your family surname.
外甥 (Wàisheng): Difference: This is your sister's son (nephew).
Usage: Use this for the male counterpart. Sometimes used as a general term for 'sister's children' in the plural.
外孙女 (Wàisūnnǚ): Difference: This is your daughter's daughter (maternal granddaughter).
Usage: Note the 'Wài' prefix again! Because she is your daughter's child, she is 'outside' your patrilineal line.

对比：
1. 姐姐的女儿 = 外甥女
2. 哥哥的女儿 = 侄女

In very informal, modern settings, especially among the younger generation who may not care about traditional distinctions, you might sometimes hear people use the English loanword 'Niece' (pronounced with a Chinese accent) or simply call them by their name or nickname (like '小红'). However, using the correct kinship term wàishengnǚ is always more polite and demonstrates a higher level of linguistic competence.

To summarize, wàishengnǚ is the 'sister's daughter' term. Its alternatives are not interchangeable; they are precise markers of a specific branch on the family tree. When in doubt, ask: 'Is she the daughter of my sister?' If yes, wàishengnǚ is your word.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

The character 甥 (shēng) contains the '生' (born) component and '男' (male) in its traditional sense, but it is used for both genders when paired with '女'. In ancient texts, 甥 could even refer to a son-in-law in certain contexts!

Guía de pronunciación

UK waɪ ʃʌŋ njuː

US waɪ ʃɛŋ nju

Primary stress on 'wài', secondary on 'nǚ'.

Rima con

nǚ rhymes with 旅 (lǚ), 铝 (lǚ), 屡 (lǚ). wài rhymes with 筷 (kuài), 卖 (mài), 败 (bài). sheng rhymes with 灯 (dēng), 层 (céng), 朋 (péng).

Errores comunes

Pronouncing 'nǚ' as 'nǔ' (like 'noo').
Mispronouncing 'sheng' as 'shèng' (4th tone) instead of 1st tone.
Ignoring the 3rd tone on 'nǚ', making it sound flat.
Confusing 'wài' with 'wǎi'.
Failing to round the lips for the 'ü' sound.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

The characters are somewhat complex but common in family contexts.

Escritura 3/5

Writing '甥' (shēng) can be tricky for beginners due to the number of strokes.

Expresión oral 2/5

The 'nǚ' sound is often a challenge for Westerners.

Escucha 3/5

Must distinguish it from '侄女' and '外孙女' in fast speech.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

姐姐 (Older sister) 妹妹 (Younger sister) 女 (Female) 外 (Outside) 个 (Measure word)

Aprende después

侄女 (Paternal niece) 外甥 (Nephew) 舅舅 (Maternal uncle) 姨妈 (Maternal aunt) 亲戚 (Relative)

Avanzado

宗法 (Patriarchal system) 血缘 (Bloodline) 辈分 (Generation rank) 代位继承 (Subrogation inheritance)

Gramática que debes saber

Use of '的' (de) in Kinship

我的外甥女 (My niece) vs 我外甥女 (My niece - more informal).

Measure Word '个' (gè) vs '名' (míng)

一个外甥女 (One niece - casual) vs 三名外甥女 (Three nieces - formal/written).

Kinship terms as Address Forms

In some families, you might call her by name, but she calls you '舅舅' or '姨妈'.

Tone Sandhi with 'nǚ'

When followed by another 3rd tone, 'nǚ' changes to a 2nd tone.

The 'Wài' logic for maternal side

外公, 外婆, 外甥, 外甥女 - all maternal side.

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Ejemplos por nivel

她是我的外甥女。

She is my niece.

Uses the basic 'A is B' structure.

外甥女五岁了。

My niece is five years old.

Simple age statement.

我爱我的外甥女。

I love my niece.

Subject-Verb-Object.

外甥女很漂亮。

My niece is very pretty.

Noun + Adjective.

这是外甥女的书。

This is my niece's book.

Possessive particle 'de'.

外甥女在跳舞。

My niece is dancing.

Present continuous action.

我有两个外甥女。

I have two nieces.

Number + Measure Word + Noun.

外甥女喜欢猫。

My niece likes cats.

Simple preference.

我的外甥女住在上海。

My niece lives in Shanghai.

Verb 'zhù' (live) + location.

我给外甥女买了一个礼物。

I bought a gift for my niece.

Indirect object 'gěi'.

外甥女比我姐姐还高。

My niece is even taller than my sister.

Comparison using 'bǐ'.

外甥女正在学习写汉字。

My niece is learning to write Chinese characters.

Action in progress.

你想见见我的外甥女吗？

Do you want to meet my niece?

Question with 'ma'.

外甥女的生日是六月十号。

My niece's birthday is June 10th.

Possessive + Date.

我外甥女很聪明，会说英语。

My niece is very smart; she can speak English.

Descriptive adjectives.

外甥女今天没去上学。

My niece didn't go to school today.

Negative past action 'méi'.

虽然她是我的外甥女，但我们很少见面。

Although she is my niece, we rarely meet.

Conjunction 'suīrán... dàn...'.

我打算暑假带外甥女去北京旅游。

I plan to take my niece to Beijing for a trip this summer vacation.

Verb 'dǎsuàn' (plan) + complex object.

我姐姐经常向我夸奖她的外甥女。

My sister often praises her niece to me (Note: this implies the speaker's brother's daughter).

Preposition 'xiàng' (towards).

外甥女在大学里学的是计算机科学。

What my niece is studying in university is computer science.

'shì... de' construction for emphasis.

我外甥女长得越来越像她妈妈了。

My niece is looking more and more like her mother.

'yuè lái yuè' (more and more).

为了给外甥女庆祝生日，我们订了一个大蛋糕。

To celebrate my niece's birthday, we ordered a big cake.

Purpose clause 'wèile'.

外甥女去年大学毕业后就开始工作了。

My niece started working right after she graduated from university last year.

Time clause + 'jiù' (then/immediately).

我外甥女对中国传统文化非常感兴趣。

My niece is very interested in traditional Chinese culture.

Structure 'duì... gǎn xìngqù'.

作为舅舅，我理应多关心外甥女的学习和生活。

As a maternal uncle, I ought to care more about my niece's studies and life.

Formal structure 'zuòwéi' (as).

外甥女凭借自己的努力，申请到了全额奖学金。

By virtue of her own hard work, my niece applied for and received a full scholarship.

Formal preposition 'píngjiè' (by virtue of).

每当春节回家，我都会给外甥女准备一份厚礼。

Whenever I go home for Spring Festival, I prepare a generous gift for my niece.

Adverb 'měidāng' (whenever).

我外甥女虽然年纪小，但处理问题却很成熟。

Although my niece is young, she is very mature in handling problems.

Contrast using 'què' (however).

由于父母工作忙，外甥女从小就由外公外婆照顾。

Because her parents were busy with work, my niece was taken care of by her maternal grandparents since she was a child.

Passive voice 'yóu... zhàogù'.

外甥女的性格很开朗，到哪儿都能很快交到新朋友。

My niece has a very cheerful personality; she can make new friends quickly wherever she goes.

Resultative complement 'jiāodào'.

我打算在外甥女结婚的时候送她一套精美的首饰。

I plan to give my niece a set of exquisite jewelry when she gets married.

Time phrase '...de shíhou'.

外甥女在这次演讲比赛中表现出色，获得了第一名。

My niece performed excellently in this speech competition and won first place.

Formal verb 'biǎoxiàn' (perform).

在中国的传统观念中，外甥女被视为“外亲”，但这并不影响家族成员间的深厚感情。

In traditional Chinese concepts, a maternal niece is regarded as an 'outer relative,' but this does not affect the deep affection among family members.

Formal passive 'bèi shì wéi'.

随着社会的发展，原本严格的外甥女与侄女之分在某些现代家庭中已逐渐模糊。

With social development, the originally strict distinction between maternal and paternal nieces has gradually blurred in some modern families.

Abstract subject + 'zhújiàn móhu' (gradually blur).

外甥女在法律上属于第二顺位继承人的子女，其继承权在特定条件下受法律保护。

Legally, a maternal niece is the child of a second-order heir, and her inheritance rights are protected by law under specific conditions.

Legal/Academic terminology.

她对外甥女的关爱溢于言表，甚至超过了对亲生子女的关注。

Her love for her niece was beyond words, even exceeding her attention to her own children.

Idiomatic expression 'yì yú yán biǎo'.

外甥女不仅在学业上出类拔萃，在社会实践中也展现出了非凡的领导才能。

My niece is not only outstanding in her studies but has also shown extraordinary leadership skills in social practice.

Correlative 'bùjǐn... yě...'.

对于远在他乡的外甥女，我总是通过视频通话来了解她的近况。

For my niece who is far away in a foreign land, I always keep up with her current situation through video calls.

Prepositional phrase 'duìyú...'

外甥女的成功在很大程度上归功于她母亲，也就是我姐姐的悉心培养。

My niece's success is largely due to the careful cultivation of her mother, who is my sister.

Formal 'guīgōng yú' (attribute to).

尽管家族关系错综复杂，但他始终与外甥女保持着紧密的联系。

Despite the intricate family relationships, he has always maintained close contact with his niece.

Conjunction 'jǐnguǎn' (despite).

在宗法制度日渐式微的今天，外甥女这一称谓更多地承载着情感寄托而非家族权力的划分。

Today, as the patriarchal clan system gradually declines, the title 'wàishengnǚ' carries more emotional sustenance than the division of family power.

High-level academic vocabulary ('shìwēi', 'chéngzài').

考察“甥”字的演变，可以窥见古代社会从母系向父系过渡时期亲属制度的蛛丝马迹。

By examining the evolution of the character '甥' (shēng), one can catch a glimpse of the clues of the kinship system during the transition from matriarchy to patriarchy in ancient society.

Sophisticated analytical structure.

外甥女在现代城市化进程中，往往成为连接城乡家族纽带的关键人物。

In the process of modern urbanization, the maternal niece often becomes a key figure in connecting urban and rural family ties.

Sociological commentary.

他对外甥女的提携，不仅是出于亲情，更是为了在家族企业中培养可靠的接班人。

His promotion of his niece was not only out of affection but also to cultivate a reliable successor in the family business.

Complex motivation 'bùjǐn shì... gèng shì...'.

文学作品中外甥女的形象，常被赋予打破传统门第观念、追求个人自由的象征意义。

The image of the maternal niece in literary works is often endowed with the symbolic meaning of breaking traditional class concepts and pursuing personal freedom.

Literary analysis terminology.

若无直系后裔，外甥女在法律框架内的代位继承权便显得尤为重要。

In the absence of direct descendants, the maternal niece's right of subrogation within the legal framework becomes particularly important.

Conditional 'ruò wú' and legal term 'dàiwèi jìchéng'.

这种基于血缘而又超越核心家庭的纽带，使得外甥女在家族内部事务中拥有独特的话语权。

This bond, based on blood and yet transcending the nuclear family, gives the maternal niece a unique voice in internal family affairs.

Abstract social analysis.

探讨外甥女称谓背后的文化内涵，有助于深入理解汉民族慎终追远、重视亲情的伦理特质。

Exploring the cultural connotation behind the title 'wàishengnǚ' helps to deeply understand the ethical characteristics of the Han nationality, such as being careful about the end and pursuing the far (remembering ancestors) and valuing family affection.

Philosophical/Ethical discourse.

Colocaciones comunes

亲外甥女

疼爱外甥女

照顾外甥女

外甥女婿

看望外甥女

漂亮的外甥女

聪明的外甥女

唯一的外甥女

外甥女的婚礼

给外甥女起名

Frases Comunes

外甥女随舅

— A common belief that a niece often takes after her maternal uncle in appearance or personality.

人家都说外甥女随舅，你看她多像她舅舅。

老外甥女

— Used to refer to a niece who is already quite old, or the youngest of many.

我那老外甥女也快退休了。

远房外甥女

— A distant niece from a sister's side or a cousin's side.

她是我一个远房外甥女。

带外甥女

— To look after or babysit a niece.

我这个周末得在家带外甥女。

外甥女回娘家

— Though technically she visits her mother's family, this phrase describes her visiting her uncle/aunt's home.

外甥女回娘家看舅舅了。

给外甥女压岁钱

— Giving Lunar New Year money to a niece.

过年别忘了给外甥女压岁钱。

外甥女考大学

— A common topic regarding a niece's education.

外甥女考大学的事儿怎么样了？

外甥女找对象

— Discussing a niece's dating or marriage prospects.

我正忙着给外甥女找对象呢。

外甥女满月

— A niece's one-month celebration.

明天是外甥女满月酒。

外甥女出嫁

— A niece getting married.

外甥女出嫁，舅舅要坐上席。

Se confunde a menudo con

外甥女 vs 侄女 (zhínǚ)

Brother's daughter. This is the most common confusion.

外甥女 vs 外孙女 (wàisūnnǚ)

Daughter's daughter (granddaughter).

外甥女 vs 外甥 (wàisheng)

Sister's son (nephew).

Modismos y expresiones

"外甥打灯笼——照旧"

— A famous 'xiehouyu' (two-part allegorical greeting). 'Zhao jiu' sounds like 'shining on the uncle' (照舅) but means 'as before' (照旧).

这件事咱们还是外甥打灯笼——照旧吧。

Informal/Humorous

"天上雷公，地下舅公"

— Emphasizes the supreme authority and importance of the maternal uncle to his sister's children.

在咱们家，外甥女的事舅舅说了算，毕竟天上雷公，地下舅公。

Traditional/Folk

"姑表亲，辈辈亲"

— While not directly using the word, it refers to the lasting bond between paternal and maternal branches (including nieces).

咱们是姑表亲，辈辈亲，外甥女的事我一定管。

Traditional

"外亲内疏"

— Describing a situation where one is closer to 'outer' relatives (like a wàishengnǚ) than 'inner' ones.

他这人有点外亲内疏，对外甥女比对亲女儿还好。

Literary

"舅权至上"

— A sociological term referring to the historical power of the uncle over his nieces and nephews.

在某些古老部落，舅权至上，外甥女的婚事由舅舅定。

Academic

"血浓于水"

— Blood is thicker than water; often used when an uncle/aunt helps a niece.

外甥女有难，我当然要帮，血浓于水嘛。

General

"含饴弄孙"

— While usually for grandparents, it's used to describe the joy of playing with young relatives like nieces.

他现在退休了，每天就在家带带外甥女，含饴弄孙。

Literary

"后继有人"

— Having someone to carry on the legacy; used if a niece follows in an uncle's footsteps.

外甥女也当了医生，真是后继有人啊。

Formal

"掌上明珠"

— A pearl in the palm; referring to a beloved daughter or niece.

这个外甥女可是全家的掌上明珠。

Idiomatic

"青出于蓝"

— The student surpasses the teacher; used if a niece exceeds her aunt/uncle's achievements.

外甥女现在的成就真是青出于蓝而胜于蓝。

Formal

Fácil de confundir

外甥女 vs 侄女

Both mean 'niece' in English.

外甥女 is sister's daughter; 侄女 is brother's daughter. The distinction is about the father's vs. mother's side.

我姐姐的女儿是外甥女，我哥哥的女儿是侄女。

外甥女 vs 外孙女

Both start with 'Wài' and end with 'nǚ'.

外甥女 is sister's daughter; 外孙女 is daughter's daughter. One is your generation's child, the other is your child's child.

外甥女叫我舅舅，外孙女叫我外公。

外甥女 vs 甥女

It's just the shorter version.

甥女 is used more in written or formal contexts, whereas 外甥女 is the standard spoken form.

在族谱上，她被记录为‘甥女’。

外甥女 vs 表妹

Both are younger female relatives.

表妹 is a younger female cousin; 外甥女 is a niece. They are different generations.

表妹是我阿姨的女儿，外甥女是我姐姐的女儿。

外甥女 vs 孙女

Both end in 'nǚ'.

孙女 is son's daughter. It's an 'inner' relative.

孙女跟我姓，外甥女通常不跟我姓。

Patrones de oraciones

她是我的 + 外甥女

她是我的外甥女。

我有 + [Number]个 + 外甥女

我有两个外甥女。

外甥女 + 正在 + [Action]

外甥女正在写作业。

虽然...但是外甥女...

虽然工作忙，但是外甥女的生日我一定会去。

作为...，我对外甥女...

作为长辈，我对外甥女寄予厚望。

外甥女之于...，犹...之于...

外甥女之于他，犹亲生女儿之于常人。

Any

给 + 外甥女 + [Object]

给外甥女买书。

Any

外甥女 + 长得 + [Adjective]

外甥女长得很漂亮。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

外甥 (wàisheng) - Nephew (sister's son)

外甥女婿 (wàishengnǚxu) - Niece's husband

外甥孙女 (wàishengsūnnǚ) - Grand-niece (sister's granddaughter)

Relacionado

舅舅 (jiùjiu) - Maternal uncle

姨妈 (yímā) - Maternal aunt

姐姐 (jiějie) - Older sister

妹妹 (mèimei) - Younger sister

侄女 (zhínǚ) - Paternal niece

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

High in family-oriented cultures; medium in professional settings.

Errores comunes

Using 外甥女 for brother's daughter. → 侄女 (zhínǚ)
Chinese kinship is specific. Brother's daughter is an 'inner' relative (侄女), while sister's daughter is an 'outer' relative (外甥女).
Pronouncing 'nǚ' as 'nǔ'. → nǚ (rounded ü sound)
The 'ü' sound is distinct from 'u'. Mispronouncing it can lead to confusion or just sounding very foreign.
Saying '外甥' when you mean a girl. → 外甥女 (wàishengnǚ)
While 'wàisheng' can be a general term, it usually defaults to a boy. Always add 'nǚ' for a girl.
Forgetting the measure word '个'. → 一个外甥女
In Chinese, you must use a measure word between a number and a noun.
Confusing 外甥女 with 外孙女. → 外甥女 (niece) / 外孙女 (granddaughter)
One is your sister's daughter; the other is your daughter's daughter. Focus on the 'sheng' vs. 'sūn'.

Consejos

The Sister Rule

Always associate 'Wài' with your sister. She goes 'Wài' (out) to marry, so her daughter is the 'Wài-niece'.

Round those lips

When you say 'nǚ', make sure your lips are as round as possible. If they are flat, you are saying 'nǔ' (slave) or 'nǔ' (cross-bow)!

Uncle's Duty

If you are a man with a wàishengnǚ, remember that in China, you are expected to be a supportive and protective figure in her life.

Measure Word

Don't forget to use '个' (gè) when counting nieces. '我有两个外甥女' is correct; '我有两外甥女' is not.

Introductions

When introducing her, saying '这是我的外甥女' sounds much more natural and polite than just saying '她是我姐姐的女儿'.

Stroke Order

Pay attention to the '甥' character. It's a bit top-heavy. Practice writing it several times to get the balance right.

Context Clues

If you hear '舅舅' (uncle), expect to hear '外甥女' soon. They are a pair in the kinship system.

Expanding

Once you master '外甥女', immediately learn '外甥' (nephew). They use the same logic.

Wài vs. Zhí

Never use '外' for your brother's kids. That's the quickest way to sound like a beginner. Brother = 侄 (zhí).

Social Media

You'll often see people post photos of their '小外甥女' on WeChat. It's a very common 'family-bragging' term.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Wài (Outside) + Sheng (Born) + Nǚ (Girl). Think: A girl born to someone who married 'outside' your family (your sister).

Asociación visual

Imagine your sister walking out of your house ('Wài') carrying a baby girl ('Nǚ').

Word Web

Family Sister Niece Uncle Aunt Maternal Outside Lineage

Desafío

Try to draw your family tree and label your sister's daughter as '外甥女'. If you don't have one, pick a famous person's sister's daughter.

Origen de la palabra

The term originates from the combination of 'Wài' (outer) and 'Sheng' (offspring of a sister). In the Zhou Dynasty kinship system, distinctions between maternal and paternal lines were already established to define inheritance and ritual duties.

Significado original: Originally, '甥' (shēng) referred to the children of one's sister or the children of one's daughter. Over time, 'Wàisheng' became the specific term for sister's children.

Sino-Tibetan > Sinitic > Mandarin.

Contexto cultural

Be careful not to imply 'Wài' (outside) means 'less important.' In modern China, maternal relatives are often closer than paternal ones due to shifting social dynamics.

English speakers often struggle because 'niece' is simpler. In English, we don't distinguish between a brother's or sister's daughter unless we specify 'maternal' or 'paternal' niece, which is rare in casual speech.

In 'Dream of the Red Chamber', Lin Daiyu is the wàishengnǚ of the Jia family. The movie 'Hi, Mom' (你好, 李焕英) touches on deep maternal-side family bonds. Classic poems often mention '甥' when poets write about visiting their sisters' families.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Family Reunion

这是我的外甥女。
外甥女长高了。
给外甥女红包。
外甥女真乖。

Education Discussion

外甥女在哪上学？
外甥女成绩不错。
给外甥女报班。
外甥女毕业了。

Social Introduction

介绍一下，这是我外甥女。
我外甥女在上海工作。
她是我姐姐的女儿。
跟我外甥女认识一下。

Shopping/Gifts

给外甥女买件衣服。
这裙子外甥女穿肯定好看。
外甥女喜欢什么玩具？
送外甥女的生日礼物。

Legal/Formal

外甥女是法定继承人吗？
证明外甥女的关系。
外甥女的监护权。
外甥女作为受益人。

Inicios de conversación

"你外甥女今年多大了？ (How old is your niece this year?)"

"你外甥女长得像你还是像她妈妈？ (Does your niece look like you or her mother?)"

"你外甥女最近在忙什么呢？ (What has your niece been busy with lately?)"

"听说你外甥女考上大学了，恭喜啊！ (I heard your niece got into university, congratulations!)"

"你经常带你外甥女出去玩吗？ (Do you often take your niece out to play?)"

Temas para diario

写一写你和外甥女之间发生的一件趣事。 (Write about a funny thing that happened between you and your niece.)

描述一下你外甥女的长相和性格。 (Describe your niece's appearance and personality.)

你觉得作为舅舅或姨妈，最大的责任是什么？ (What do you think is the biggest responsibility of being an uncle or aunt?)

如果你没有外甥女，想象一下如果你有一个，你会带她去做什么。 (If you don't have a niece, imagine if you did, what would you take her to do?)

讨论一下中国亲属称谓中“外”字的文化含义。 (Discuss the cultural meaning of the character 'Wài' in Chinese kinship terms.)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Technically, no. The daughter of a maternal cousin is your '表外甥女' (biǎo wàishengnǚ). However, in very casual conversation, some people might drop the 'biǎo', but it's better to be precise.

No, it is for both older sisters (姐姐) and younger sisters (妹妹). The term is the same regardless of the sister's age.

She calls her mother's brother '舅舅' (jiùjiu).

She calls her mother's sister '姨妈' (yímā) or '阿姨' (āyí).

There isn't a specific slang word, but people often use nicknames or terms like '小妞' (xiǎo niū) affectionately.

It stems from traditional patriarchal views where women marry out of their birth family into another family. Thus, their children are 'outside' the original family line.

Yes, from your husband's perspective, she is his wàishengnǚ. You would also refer to her as your wàishengnǚ in relation to the family unit.

You can say '外甥女们' (wàishengnǚmen) or specify the number, like '几个外甥女' (several nieces).

Rarely in modern speech. It's almost always part of '外甥' or '外甥女'.

No, '女' (nǚ) specifically means female. A nephew is '外甥' (wàisheng).

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