When we talk about family, it's important to be specific. In Chinese, there are different words for nephews depending on which side of the family they come from. 外甥 (wàisheng) specifically refers to your sister's son, so he's your maternal nephew. If it's your brother's son, that's a different word! This helps everyone understand the family tree clearly. So, if your sister has a son, you can call him your 外甥 (wàisheng).
When we talk about family in Chinese, it's very specific! 外甥 (wàishēng) refers to your sister's son. So, if you are a man or a woman, and your sister has a boy, that boy is your 外甥.
It's important not to confuse this with 侄子 (zhízi), which is your brother's son. Knowing the difference helps you talk about your family correctly.
When talking about family in Chinese, it's important to be precise. 外甥 (wàishēng) refers specifically to your sister's son, making him your maternal nephew. It's different from your brother's son, which would be 侄子 (zhízi).
Understanding this distinction is key to accurately describing family relationships in Chinese. So, if your sister has a son, he is your 外甥.
When we talk about nephews and nieces in English, it's pretty straightforward. However, in Chinese, it's a bit more specific. 外甥 (wàishēng) refers to your sister's son. This highlights the importance of distinguishing between paternal and maternal relatives in Chinese culture.
You'll notice that the character 外 (wài) means 'outside' or 'external,' indicating that this relative comes from the maternal side of the family, i.e., your sister's family, which is 'outside' your direct patrilineal lineage. This distinction helps to clarify family relationships, which are very important in Chinese culture. Knowing these specific terms helps you navigate family discussions and understand family trees better.
When discussing family relations in Chinese, it's important to be precise. The term '外甥' (wàishēng) specifically refers to a maternal nephew, meaning the son of one's sister. This contrasts with a paternal nephew (brother's son), which would be '侄子' (zhízi). Understanding this distinction helps avoid confusion when identifying family members.
The character '外' (wài) literally means 'outside' or 'external,' indicating that this relative comes from the sister's side, which is considered 'outside' the direct paternal lineage in traditional Chinese family structures. Therefore, '外甥' is always used for a sister's son, never a brother's son. This precision in terminology is a key aspect of Chinese kinship vocabulary.
外甥 in 30 Seconds
- 外甥 is your sister's son.
- It's a maternal nephew.
- Used for sons of female siblings.
§ Understanding 外甥 (Wàishēng)
外甥 (wàishēng) refers specifically to your sister's son. It’s a pretty common family term in Chinese, so you'll hear it a lot when people talk about their relatives.
- DEFINITION
- Maternal nephew (sister's son).
When you're talking about family, precision matters. In English, 'nephew' can mean your brother's son or your sister's son. In Chinese, there are different words for each. For your brother's son, you'd use 侄子 (zhízi). But for your sister's son, it's 外甥 (wàishēng). Don't mix them up!
§ Basic Sentence Structures with 外甥
Using 外甥 in a sentence is pretty straightforward. It functions just like any other noun referring to a person. Here are some common ways you'll see it:
- Subject of a sentence: Your 外甥 does something.
- Object of a sentence: You do something to or with your 外甥.
- Possession: Showing that something belongs to your 外甥.
我的外甥很聪明。
Translation hint: My maternal nephew is very smart.
她正在和她的外甥玩。
Translation hint: She is playing with her maternal nephew.
§ Showing Possession with 外甥
To show that something belongs to your 外甥, you'll generally use 的 (de). It's the same possessive particle you use for pretty much everything else.
这是我外甥的玩具。
Translation hint: This is my maternal nephew's toy.
你见过她外甥的新自行车吗？
Translation hint: Have you seen her maternal nephew's new bicycle?
§ Using 外甥 with Verbs and Prepositions
When 外甥 is involved in an action, it will pair up with verbs and sometimes prepositions, just like other nouns. Here are some examples showing common verbs and prepositions.
- 和 (hé) - with: To indicate doing something with your 外甥.
- 给 (gěi) - to/for: To indicate giving something to your 外甥.
- 为 (wèi) - for (the benefit of): To indicate doing something for your 外甥's benefit.
我经常和我的外甥聊天。
Translation hint: I often chat with my maternal nephew.
她给我外甥买了一本书。
Translation hint: She bought a book for my maternal nephew.
他们为外甥的生日准备了一个派对。
Translation hint: They prepared a party for their maternal nephew's birthday.
§ Common Phrases and Expressions
You'll often hear 外甥 used in common family-related phrases. These are pretty useful to know for everyday conversation.
- 我的外甥 (wǒ de wàishēng): My maternal nephew.
- 大外甥 (dà wàishēng): Eldest maternal nephew.
- 小外甥 (xiǎo wàishēng): Youngest maternal nephew.
我的外甥今年上小学了。
Translation hint: My maternal nephew started elementary school this year.
她是家里最小的外甥女。
Translation hint: She is the youngest maternal niece in the family. (Note: 外甥女 is for sister's daughter, but uses the same 外甥 base.)
Mastering 外甥 is a good step towards understanding and talking about Chinese family structures more accurately. Keep practicing these examples, and you'll get the hang of it in no time!
Alright, let's talk about 外甥 (wàishēng). This word is super common, especially when people are chatting about their families. If you're learning Chinese, knowing how to talk about relatives is a big deal, and 外甥 is a key part of that. Simply put, 外甥 means 'maternal nephew,' specifically your sister's son. It’s pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it.
§ Basic Definition and Usage
- DEFINITION
- Maternal nephew (sister's son).
So, when someone refers to their 外甥, they are talking about their sister's son. It's important to differentiate this from a paternal nephew (brother's son), which has a different term in Chinese. We'll stick to 外甥 for now, focusing on the maternal side.
我姐姐的外甥今年上小学了。
My sister's son started primary school this year. (Here, the speaker is referring to their sister's son, meaning their own nephew.)
我有个很可爱的外甥。
I have a very cute nephew (my sister's son).
§ Where You'll Actually Hear This Word
You'll encounter 外甥 mostly in casual conversations, family gatherings, and anywhere people are discussing personal relationships. It's a word that pops up naturally when talking about family. You won't typically find it in formal news reports or business meetings unless the topic is a personal anecdote.
Family Conversations: This is the most common place. Imagine you're at a family dinner, and someone says, "我的外甥很聪明" (Wǒ de wàishēng hěn cōngmíng - My nephew is very smart). They're talking about their sister's son.
Social Settings: If you're out with friends and they're sharing stories about their lives, family often comes up. Someone might mention, "我周末要带外甥去公园" (Wǒ zhōumò yào dài wàishēng qù gōngyuán - I'm taking my nephew to the park this weekend). This is perfectly normal and shows how the word is used in everyday talk.
Personal Anecdotes: In a more relaxed work environment, colleagues might share personal stories, and 外甥 could be mentioned. For example, "我的外甥最近得了奖" (Wǒ de wàishēng zuìjìn déle jiǎng - My nephew recently won an award). This isn't formal work talk, but it's part of the human element in any workplace.
§ Practical Examples in Context
Let's look at a few more examples to really cement your understanding. These are the kinds of sentences you'll hear in real life.
她非常疼爱她的外甥。
She loves her nephew (sister's son) very much.
我的外甥下周过生日。
My nephew (sister's son) has his birthday next week.
You can see how versatile this word is. It's used in simple sentences to convey a direct familial relationship. No need for complicated grammar here.
§ Why is this specific word important?
In Chinese culture, family relationships are very detailed. Unlike English, where 'nephew' can mean a brother's son or a sister's son, Chinese distinguishes these roles. Knowing 外甥 helps you sound more natural and precise when discussing family. It shows you understand the nuances of the language and culture.
Also, using the correct term is a sign of respect. When you're talking about someone's family, especially with an older person, using the right titles for relatives is always a good idea. It demonstrates effort and cultural awareness.
So, practice using 外甥. Try to think about your own sister's son (if you have one) and how you would introduce him using this word. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.
That's it for 外甥. Keep practicing, and you'll master these family terms in no time. Learning these specific words makes your Chinese much more authentic and helps you connect better with native speakers.
§ Understanding 外甥 (wàishēng)
Alright, let's talk about 外甥 (wàishēng). This word trips up a lot of English speakers learning Chinese, and for good reason. In English, we just have 'nephew' for any brother's or sister's son. Easy, right? Not so much in Chinese. Here, family terms are very specific, and if you use the wrong one, you'll sound off, or worse, completely misunderstand the family relationship being discussed.
The key thing to remember about 外甥 (wàishēng) is the '外' (wài) part. This character means 'outside' or 'external.' In the context of family, it usually points to a maternal relationship, meaning it's related through the mother's side of the family. So, 外甥 (wàishēng) specifically refers to your sister's son. He's your maternal nephew.
- DEFINITION
- 外甥 (wàishēng): maternal nephew (sister's son).
§ Mistake 1: Using 外甥 for a Brother's Son
This is the most common mistake. People often use 外甥 (wàishēng) for any nephew, regardless of whether he's their brother's son or sister's son. This is incorrect. If you're talking about your brother's son, you need to use 侄子 (zhízi). These are distinct terms and are not interchangeable.
我有一个外甥，他是我姐姐的儿子。(I have a maternal nephew, he is my older sister's son.)
Incorrect: 他是我的外甥，他是我哥哥的儿子。(He is my maternal nephew, he is my older brother's son.)
Correct: 他是我的侄子，他是我哥哥的儿子。(He is my paternal nephew, he is my older brother's son.)
§ Mistake 2: Forgetting the Gender Specificity
Another common error is applying 外甥 (wàishēng) to a niece. This is also wrong. 外甥 (wàishēng) is strictly for a male child – a son. If your sister has a daughter, she would be your 外甥女 (wàishēngnǚ). The '女' (nǚ) character clearly indicates 'female' or 'daughter.'
我的外甥今年五岁了。(My maternal nephew is five years old this year.)
Incorrect: 这是我的外甥，她是我妹妹的女儿。(This is my maternal nephew, she is my younger sister's daughter.)
Correct: 这是我的外甥女，她是我妹妹的女儿。(This is my maternal niece, she is my younger sister's daughter.)
§ Mistake 3: Confusing it with Cousin Terms
Sometimes, learners might accidentally use 外甥 (wàishēng) when they mean a male cousin. Cousins have an entirely different set of terms in Chinese, which are also very specific depending on whether they're older or younger and on which side of the family they come from (paternal or maternal). A cousin is a child of your aunt or uncle, not your sibling.
- 表兄弟 (biǎoxiōngdì): Older male maternal cousin (son of mother's brother/sister, or father's sister).
- 表姐妹 (biǎojiěmèi): Older female maternal cousin (daughter of mother's brother/sister, or father's sister).
- 堂兄弟 (tángxiōngdì): Paternal male cousin (son of father's brother).
This is a bit more complex, but the point is, 外甥 (wàishēng) is specifically for your sister's son, not for any cousin.
我的外甥很喜欢画画。(My maternal nephew loves to draw.)
Incorrect: 我和我的外甥一起长大，他是我的表哥。(My maternal nephew and I grew up together, he is my older male cousin.)
Correct: 我和我的表哥一起长大。(My older male cousin and I grew up together.)
§ How to Get it Right
- Sister's son: 外甥 (wàishēng)
- Sister's daughter: 外甥女 (wàishēngnǚ)
- Brother's son: 侄子 (zhízi)
- Brother's daughter: 侄女 (zhínǚ)
The best way to avoid these mistakes is to really pay attention to the '外' (wài) and '侄' (zhí) characters and what side of the family they refer to. Practice with examples, and don't be afraid to ask for clarification when you hear these terms. Getting family vocabulary right in Chinese shows respect and a deeper understanding of the culture.
§ What is 外甥?
Alright, let's talk about family terms in Chinese. It can get a bit tricky because Chinese often has very specific words for relationships that English just lumps into one. Today, we're focusing on 外甥 (wàishēng).
- DEFINITION
- Maternal nephew (sister's son).
Basically, 外甥 is your sister's son. Easy enough, right? It's important to remember the 'maternal' part – it's about your side of the family, specifically your sister. If you are a woman, your sister's son is your 外甥. If you are a man, your sister's son is also your 外甥.
我姐姐的儿子是我的外甥。(Wǒ jiějiě de érzi shì wǒ de wàishēng.)
Translation hint: My older sister's son is my nephew.
他很喜欢他的小外甥。(Tā hěn xǐhuān tā de xiǎo wàishēng.)
Translation hint: He really likes his little nephew.
§ 外甥女 for girls
Just like English has nephew and niece, Chinese has a feminine version for 外甥. If your sister has a daughter, she is your 外甥女 (wàishēngnǚ).
我的外甥女今年五岁了。(Wǒ de wàishēngnǚ jīnnián wǔ suì le.)
Translation hint: My niece (sister's daughter) is five years old this year.
§ The difference between 外甥 and 侄子
This is where learners often get confused. While both 外甥 and 侄子 (zhízi) translate to 'nephew' in English, they refer to different sides of the family.
外甥 (wàishēng): Your sister's son. (Maternal side)
侄子 (zhízi): Your brother's son. (Paternal side)
Let's break it down:
- 外甥
- This is your sister's son. The key here is 'sister'. Whether you're a man or a woman, your sister's boy is your 外甥.
我姑姑的外甥是我的表哥。(Wǒ gūgu de wàishēng shì wǒ de biǎogē.)
Translation hint: My paternal aunt's nephew (her sister's son) is my older male cousin. (This means her sister's son is your cousin through your father's sister.) This sentence shows how it can extend!
- 侄子
- This is your brother's son. The key here is 'brother'. Again, whether you're a man or a woman, your brother's boy is your 侄子.
我弟弟的儿子是我的侄子。(Wǒ dìdi de érzi shì wǒ de zhízi.)
Translation hint: My younger brother's son is my nephew.
§ Similar words and when to use them
Let's look at the family tree and how these words fit in:
Your sister's children:
- Son: 外甥 (wàishēng)
- Daughter: 外甥女 (wàishēngnǚ)Your brother's children:
- Son: 侄子 (zhízi)
- Daughter: 侄女 (zhínǚ)
It's crucial to use these correctly because it shows respect for family relationships in Chinese culture. While an English speaker might just say "my nephew" for both, a Chinese speaker will always distinguish between 外甥 and 侄子.
我今天要去看看我的外甥，他生病了。(Wǒ jīntiān yào qù kànkan wǒ de wàishēng, tā shēngbìng le.)
Translation hint: Today I'm going to see my nephew (sister's son), he's sick.
他经常带他的侄子去公园玩。(Tā jīngcháng dài tā de zhízi qù gōngyuán wán.)
Translation hint: He often takes his nephew (brother's son) to the park to play.
How Formal Is It?
"我的外甥在大学学习经济学。"
"我姐姐的儿子就是我的外甥。"
"小外甥今天来家里玩了。"
Fun Fact
The 'outside' character (外) differentiates the maternal nephew from a paternal nephew (姪, zhí), whose family name is typically the same as the uncle's.
Pronunciation Guide
- Confusing with other nephew terms (e.g., 侄子 for brother's son)
- Incorrect tones
Difficulty Rating
short
short
short
short
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Examples by Level
这是我的外甥。
This is my maternal nephew.
他是我姐姐的儿子，我的外甥。
He is my elder sister's son, my maternal nephew.
我的外甥很可爱。
My maternal nephew is very cute.
外甥今年五岁了。
The maternal nephew is five years old this year.
我喜欢和我的外甥玩。
I like to play with my maternal nephew.
她有一个外甥。
She has a maternal nephew.
外甥在学校学习。
The maternal nephew studies at school.
我给外甥买了一个礼物。
I bought a gift for my maternal nephew.
我的外甥今年上大学。
My nephew (sister's son) is going to college this year.
Possessive pronoun 我的 (wǒ de) before 外甥 (wàishēng). 今年 (jīnnián) means 'this year'.
她很疼爱她的外甥。
She dotes on her nephew (sister's son) very much.
疼爱 (téng'ài) means 'to dote on' or 'to love dearly'. 很 (hěn) is an intensifier.
我姐姐的儿子是我的外甥。
My older sister's son is my nephew (sister's son).
姐姐 (jiějie) means 'older sister'. 的 (de) indicates possession.
外甥经常来我家玩。
My nephew (sister's son) often comes to my house to play.
经常 (jīngcháng) means 'often'. 来 (lái) means 'to come'. 玩 (wán) means 'to play'.
他给外甥买了一个新玩具。
He bought a new toy for his nephew (sister's son).
给 (gěi) can mean 'to give' or 'for'. 玩具 (wánjù) means 'toy'.
我的外甥比我小五岁。
My nephew (sister's son) is five years younger than me.
比 (bǐ) is used for comparison. 小 (xiǎo) means 'small' or 'young'.
外甥很聪明，学习很好。
My nephew (sister's son) is very smart and studies well.
聪明 (cōngmíng) means 'smart'. 学习 (xuéxí) means 'to study'.
我们一起去看了外甥的学校表演。
We went to watch my nephew's (sister's son's) school performance together.
一起 (yīqǐ) means 'together'. 表演 (biǎoyǎn) means 'performance'.
我姐姐的儿子很聪明，是我的小外甥。
My sister's son is very smart, he's my little maternal nephew.
外甥下个月要来我家住几天。
My maternal nephew is coming to stay at my house for a few days next month.
你外甥长得真快，都这么高了。
Your maternal nephew has grown so fast, he's already so tall.
每年过年，外甥都会收到很多红包。
Every Chinese New Year, my maternal nephew receives a lot of red envelopes.
我打算带外甥去公园玩。
I plan to take my maternal nephew to the park to play.
外甥在学校表现很好，经常得到老师的表扬。
My maternal nephew performs very well at school, often receiving praise from teachers.
我给外甥买了一件新衣服作为生日礼物。
I bought my maternal nephew a new outfit as a birthday gift.
外甥喜欢听我讲故事，每次都听得很认真。
My maternal nephew likes to listen to my stories, and he always listens very attentively.
我的姐姐下个月要生孩子了，我很快就要有个小外甥了！
My older sister is having a baby next month, I'll soon have a little nephew!
每年过年，外甥都会来我家和我们一起吃团圆饭。
Every Chinese New Year, my nephew comes to our house to have reunion dinner with us.
我外甥非常喜欢踢足球，他梦想能成为一名职业球员。
My nephew loves playing soccer very much; he dreams of becoming a professional player.
上周我带着外甥去了动物园，他看到老虎的时候特别兴奋。
Last week I took my nephew to the zoo, he was especially excited when he saw the tigers.
我的外甥今年考上了大学，全家人都为他感到骄傲。
My nephew got into university this year; the whole family is proud of him.
尽管我的外甥已经长大了，但在我眼里他永远是个孩子。
Although my nephew has grown up, in my eyes he will always be a child.
我外甥的婚礼定在秋天，我正在帮他筹备。
My nephew's wedding is set for autumn, I'm helping him prepare for it.
他对外甥视如己出，所有的好东西都先想着他。
He treats his nephew like his own child, always thinking of him first for all good things.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
我姐姐的儿子是我的外甥。
My sister's son is my nephew.
我有一个可爱的外甥。
I have a lovely nephew.
我的外甥今年五岁了。
My nephew is five years old this year.
他很喜欢和他的外甥玩。
He likes to play with his nephew very much.
外甥放学后经常来我家。
My nephew often comes to my house after school.
我给外甥买了一件礼物。
I bought a gift for my nephew.
我的外甥是个聪明的小孩。
My nephew is a smart child.
她经常带外甥去公园。
She often takes her nephew to the park.
外甥在学校表现很好。
My nephew performs well at school.
我为我的外甥感到骄傲。
I am proud of my nephew.
Often Confused With
Paternal nephew (brother's son) vs. maternal nephew (外甥).
Maternal niece (sister's daughter) vs. maternal nephew (外甥).
Paternal niece (brother's daughter) vs. maternal nephew (外甥).
Grammar Patterns
Idioms & Expressions
"打外甥"
To beat one's nephew (often used humorously to describe a playful roughhousing between an uncle and his nephew)
他总是喜欢和他的外甥打外甥，玩得很开心。
informal"外甥打灯笼"
Nephew carrying a lantern (a riddle where the answer is '照旧', meaning 'as before' or 'the same as usual', because '舅' (jiù - maternal uncle) sounds like '旧' (jiù - old/same); implies things are unchanged)
最近生活怎么样？外甥打灯笼——照旧。
informal"认外甥"
To acknowledge one's nephew; to officially recognize the relationship
她很高兴能和失散多年的外甥认外甥。
neutral"外甥像舅"
The nephew resembles the maternal uncle (a common saying suggesting a genetic or behavioral likeness)
大家都说他外甥像舅，性格和爱好都差不多。
neutral"外甥女婿"
Nephew's son-in-law (referring to a more distant relative through the nephew's marriage, not a direct idiom)
我今天见到了我的外甥女婿，一个很年轻的小伙子。
neutral"疼外甥"
To dote on one's nephew; to show great affection for one's nephew
奶奶特别疼外甥，每次来都给他买好多礼物。
neutral"外甥是娘家的亲戚"
A nephew is a relative from the mother's side (emphasizing the close bond with the maternal family)
虽然外甥不和我们住在一起，但外甥是娘家的亲戚，我们都很关心他。
neutral"外甥来访"
Nephew visiting (a simple phrase for a common event)
这个周末我的外甥要来访，我得好好准备一下。
neutral"和外甥玩耍"
To play with one's nephew
他每天下班回家最喜欢的事情就是和外甥玩耍。
neutral"外甥结婚"
Nephew getting married
我收到了外甥结婚的请柬，真是替他高兴。
neutralEasily Confused
Often confused with 外甥 because both refer to a nephew. However, 侄子 specifically means paternal nephew (brother's son).
侄子 = son of your brother. 外甥 = son of your sister.
我哥哥有一个儿子，他是我的侄子。 (My older brother has a son, he is my paternal nephew.)
Similar to 侄子, this is also a paternal relation, but for a niece, not a nephew. Learners might mix up the gender or the side of the family.
侄女 = daughter of your brother. 外甥 = son of your sister.
我弟弟有一个女儿，她是我的侄女。 (My younger brother has a daughter, she is my paternal niece.)
This is the maternal niece (sister's daughter). It's easy to get 外甥 (maternal nephew) and 外甥女 (maternal niece) confused, especially with the '女' (nǚ) indicating female.
外甥女 = daughter of your sister. 外甥 = son of your sister.
我姐姐有一个女儿，她是我的外甥女。 (My older sister has a daughter, she is my maternal niece.)
This refers to an older male cousin, which can be from either your mother's or father's side. The '表' prefix indicates a cousin, which is a different relation than a nephew.
表哥 = older male cousin. 外甥 = son of your sister.
我的表哥比我大两岁。 (My older male cousin is two years older than me.)
Similar to 表哥, this also refers to an older male cousin, but specifically the son of your father's brother. It's important to differentiate between cousins and nephews.
堂哥 = older male cousin (father's brother's son). 外甥 = son of your sister.
我的堂哥住在同一个城市。 (My older male cousin lives in the same city.)
Sentence Patterns
这是我的外甥。
这是我的外甥，他叫小明。(This is my nephew, his name is Xiaoming.)
我的外甥是[年龄]岁。
我的外甥是八岁。(My nephew is eight years old.)
我喜欢我的外甥。
我喜欢我的外甥，他很可爱。(I like my nephew, he is very cute.)
[人]有一个外甥。
她有一个外甥。(She has a maternal nephew.)
我的外甥在[地点]。
我的外甥在学校。(My nephew is at school.)
和我的外甥一起[动词]。
我喜欢和我的外甥一起看电影。(I like to watch movies with my nephew.)
我的外甥很[形容词]。
我的外甥很淘气。(My nephew is very mischievous.)
[人]是我的外甥。
小明是我的外甥。(Xiaoming is my nephew.)
How to Use It
When referring to a nephew who is the son of one's sister, use 外甥 (wàishēng). This term specifically refers to a maternal nephew, meaning your sister's son. It's important to differentiate this from a paternal nephew (brother's son), which is 侄子 (zhízi).
A common mistake is using 侄子 (zhízi) when you mean your sister's son. Remember, 侄子 (zhízi) is for your brother's son (paternal nephew), while 外甥 (wàishēng) is for your sister's son (maternal nephew). Be careful to use the correct term to avoid confusion about which side of the family you are referring to.
Tips
Remembering Wàishēng
Think of it as 'outside' (外, wài) + 'student/offspring' (甥, shēng). The 'outside' helps you remember it's not from the paternal side.
Distinguishing Wàishēng
It specifically refers to your sister's son. It does not refer to your brother's son. For your brother's son, you would use 侄子 (zhízi).
Don't Confuse with Zhízi
A common mistake is to use 外甥 for any nephew. Remember, 外甥 (wàishēng) is your sister's son, and 侄子 (zhízi) is your brother's son. Keep them separate!
Visual Aid for Family Terms
Draw a small family tree. Put yourself in the middle, your sister next to you, and her son (外甥) branching off from her. This visual will help you remember the relationship.
Practice with Sentences
Create simple sentences. For example: '这是我的外甥。' (Zhè shì wǒ de wàishēng. - This is my maternal nephew.)
Importance of Family Terms
In Chinese culture, family terms are very specific and important for showing respect and understanding relationships. Using the correct term like 外甥 is a sign of good manners.
Maternal Niece
If you're wondering about a sister's daughter, that would be 外甥女 (wàishēngnǚ). The '女' (nǚ) means 'female' or 'daughter'.
Use Mnemonics
Think: 'Wài-shēng, When my Aunt Is my sister, it's her son.' This might be a bit of a stretch, but personal mnemonics often work best.
Listen to Native Speakers
Pay attention to how native speakers use 外甥 in conversations or media. Context will help solidify your understanding.
Do Not Generalize 'Nephew'
In English, 'nephew' can refer to a brother's son or a sister's son. In Chinese, these are distinct. Always clarify the relationship to choose between 外甥 and 侄子.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine your sister's son, your **wài shēng**, always wanting to play **outside** (wài) with you. He's like a **raw, new** (shēng) addition to the family, full of energy.
Visual Association
Picture a young boy, your sister's son, playing outside your window. He's waving and smiling, and you can almost hear him saying 'wài shēng!'
Word Web
Challenge
Describe your family tree to a friend, making sure to include any 外甥 (wài shēng) you might have. For example, '我姐姐有一个儿子，他是我的外甥。' (Wǒ jiějie yǒu yīgè érzi, tā shì wǒ de wàishēng. - My older sister has a son, he is my maternal nephew.)
Word Origin
Formed from 外 (wài, 'outside') + 甥 (shēng, 'nephew/niece').
Original meaning: The character 甥 (shēng) originally referred to the child of a sister.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic.Cultural Context
In traditional Chinese culture, family relationships are very important and precisely defined. While English often uses 'nephew' for both paternal and maternal sides, Chinese distinguishes between them with specific terms, reflecting the different social roles and expectations associated with each side of the family. The maternal nephew, or wàishēng, is part of the mother's original family line, which is traditionally seen as 'outside' the paternal family.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Talking about family members
- 这是我外甥。
- 我外甥今年五岁了。
- 他是我姐姐的儿子，我的外甥。
Introducing your nephew
- 来，我给你介绍一下，这是我外甥小明。
- 这是我外甥，他很活泼。
- 你认识我外甥吗？
Discussing your nephew's age or characteristics
- 我外甥很聪明。
- 他是我见过最可爱的外甥。
- 我的外甥正在上小学。
Talking about a visit from your nephew
- 我外甥周末会来我家。
- 我期待我外甥的到来。
- 我外甥昨天来我家玩了。
Comparing your nephew to other children
- 我外甥比他同龄的孩子高一点。
- 我外甥喜欢玩乐高，不像我侄子。
- 她有两个外甥和三个侄女。
Conversation Starters
"你有没有外甥？"
"你外甥多大了？"
"你外甥最近在忙些什么？"
"你和你的外甥关系好吗？"
"你外甥喜欢什么运动？"
Journal Prompts
描述你和你的外甥之间最喜欢的一次经历。
如果你的外甥问你一个关于生活的重要问题，你会怎么回答？
写一篇关于你的外甥的短文，描述他的性格和兴趣。
想象一下你和你的外甥一起度过一天，你会安排什么活动？
你的外甥教会了你什么？
Test Yourself 162 questions
我姐姐有一个儿子，他是我的______。
外甥 (wàishēng) means maternal nephew (sister's son).
她非常喜欢她的______，经常给他买玩具。
外甥 (wàishēng) refers to a sister's son. The sentence implies affection for a child.
我的______今年五岁了，很可爱。
外甥 (wàishēng) is a family member, and the age 'five' fits a nephew.
周末我常和我的______一起玩游戏。
Playing games is a common activity with a nephew (外甥).
他有一个姐姐，所以他也有一个______。
If he has a sister, she might have a son, who would be his 外甥 (maternal nephew).
我妹妹的儿子是我的______。
妹妹 (mèimei - younger sister) implies her son would be a maternal nephew (外甥).
Choose the correct English translation for '外甥'.
'外甥' specifically refers to a sister's son.
Which of these people would be your '外甥'?
'外甥' means your sister's son.
If your sister has a son, he is your ___.
A sister's son is referred to as '外甥'.
'外甥' refers to your brother's son.
No, '外甥' refers to your sister's son. Your brother's son is '侄子' (zhízi).
If your sister has a male child, he is your '外甥'.
Yes, '外甥' is the term for a sister's son.
'外甥' can be a girl.
No, '外甥' specifically refers to a male child (son). A sister's daughter is '外甥女' (wàishēngnǚ).
This is my maternal nephew.
My maternal nephew is very cute.
I have a maternal nephew.
Read this aloud:
这是我的外甥。
Focus: wài shēng
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
外甥很可爱。
Focus: hěn kě ài
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我有一个外甥。
Focus: yǒu yī gè
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence introducing your younger sister's son using '外甥'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这是我妹妹的儿子，他是我的外甥。 (This is my younger sister's son, he is my maternal nephew.)
Write a sentence describing an activity you do with your '外甥'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我常常和我的外甥一起玩游戏。 (I often play games with my maternal nephew.)
Write a sentence indicating your '外甥' is young.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的外甥很小，他才两岁。 (My maternal nephew is very young, he is only two years old.)
谁是小王的外甥？
Read this passage:
小王有一个妹妹。他的妹妹有一个儿子。这个儿子是小王的外甥。小王很喜欢他的外甥。
谁是小王的外甥？
文章中提到'他的妹妹有一个儿子。这个儿子是小王的外甥。'
文章中提到'他的妹妹有一个儿子。这个儿子是小王的外甥。'
丽丽为什么经常给她的外甥买玩具？
Read this passage:
丽丽的姐姐有两个孩子，一个女儿，一个儿子。姐姐的儿子是丽丽的外甥。丽丽经常给她的外甥买玩具。
丽丽为什么经常给她的外甥买玩具？
文章中说“姐姐的儿子是丽丽的外甥。丽丽经常给她的外甥买玩具。”，表示她喜欢她的外甥。
文章中说“姐姐的儿子是丽丽的外甥。丽丽经常给她的外甥买玩具。”，表示她喜欢她的外甥。
张老师的外甥今年几岁了？
Read this passage:
张老师的姐姐有一个儿子。这个儿子今年五岁了。张老师的外甥很可爱，也很聪明。张老师经常教他中文。
张老师的外甥今年几岁了？
文章中明确提到“这个儿子今年五岁了”。
文章中明确提到“这个儿子今年五岁了”。
The correct order is 'Subject + 是 (to be) + Object'.
The correct order is 'Subject + 有 (to have) + Quantity + Noun'.
The correct order is 'Subject + 很 (very) + Verb + Object'.
我姐姐有一个儿子，他是我的___。
你的姐姐的儿子是你的外甥 (wàishēng).
我的___很喜欢玩玩具。
外甥 (wàishēng) 是一个小孩，所以会喜欢玩玩具。
她经常带她的___去公园。
外甥 (wàishēng) 是指姐姐的儿子，通常会被带去公园。
这个小男孩是我的___，他很聪明。
外甥 (wàishēng) 可以用来形容一个聪明的小男孩。
我妹妹的孩子，男孩的话就是我的___。
你的妹妹的儿子也是你的外甥 (wàishēng)。
圣诞节的时候，我会给我的___准备礼物。
通常会给家人，比如外甥 (wàishēng) 准备礼物。
Choose the correct relative for '外甥':
'外甥' specifically refers to a sister's son in Chinese.
My older sister has a son. He is my ____.
If your older sister has a son, he is your maternal nephew, which is '外甥' in Chinese.
Which sentence correctly uses '外甥'?
'外甥' is specifically your sister's son.
If your brother has a son, you would call him your '外甥'.
No, a brother's son is called '侄子' (zhízi). '外甥' is for a sister's son.
My sister's son is my '外甥'.
Yes, '外甥' is the correct term for a sister's son.
You can use '外甥' to refer to any nephew.
No, '外甥' is specifically for a maternal nephew (sister's son). For a paternal nephew (brother's son), you use '侄子'.
Listen for 'wàishēng' and its meaning.
Listen to the question about the age of a 'wàishēng'.
Listen for what 'wàishēng' likes to eat.
Read this aloud:
我有一个外甥。
Focus: wàishēng
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
这是我的外甥。
Focus: zhè shì wǒ de wàishēng
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
他是我姐姐的外甥。
Focus: tā shì wǒ jiějie de wàishēng
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a sentence using 外甥 to describe someone's relationship.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我有一个外甥，他很可爱。
Imagine you are talking about your sister's son. How would you refer to him using 外甥?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的外甥今年上小学了。
Complete the sentence: 她姐姐的儿子是她的______。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
她姐姐的儿子是她的外甥。
根据这段话，谁是小明的外甥？ (According to this passage, who is Xiao Ming's maternal nephew?)
Read this passage:
小明有一个姐姐。他的姐姐有一个儿子。所以，小明是这个孩子的舅舅，这个孩子是小明的外甥。
根据这段话，谁是小明的外甥？ (According to this passage, who is Xiao Ming's maternal nephew?)
Passage states '这个孩子是小明的外甥', and '这个孩子' refers to '小明姐姐的儿子'.
Passage states '这个孩子是小明的外甥', and '这个孩子' refers to '小明姐姐的儿子'.
这个人是谁的外甥？ (Whose maternal nephew is this person?)
Read this passage:
我的妈妈有一个妹妹。我妹妹的儿子，我应该叫他外甥。
这个人是谁的外甥？ (Whose maternal nephew is this person?)
The speaker says '我妹妹的儿子，我应该叫他外甥', meaning the speaker is the uncle/aunt to this child.
The speaker says '我妹妹的儿子，我应该叫他外甥', meaning the speaker is the uncle/aunt to this child.
李阿姨给谁买玩具？ (Who does Aunt Li buy toys for?)
Read this passage:
李阿姨很喜欢她的外甥。她经常给外甥买玩具。
李阿姨给谁买玩具？ (Who does Aunt Li buy toys for?)
外甥 specifically refers to a sister's son (maternal nephew).
外甥 specifically refers to a sister's son (maternal nephew).
The correct order is 'Subject + 是 + Possessive Pronoun + Noun'. So, 'Xiao Ming is my maternal nephew.'
The correct order is 'Possessive Pronoun + Noun + 副词 (adverb) + 形容词 (adjective)'. So, 'Her maternal nephew is very smart.'
The correct order is 'Subject + 有 + Quantity + Adjective + Noun'. So, 'She has a cute maternal nephew.'
你的姐妹的孩子，你应该叫他什么？
外甥 (wàishēng) specifically refers to a maternal nephew, meaning your sister's son. 侄子 (zhízi) is a paternal nephew (brother's son). 儿子 (érzi) is your own son. 表哥 (biǎogē) is a older male cousin.
如果你的姐姐生了一个男孩，那么这个男孩是你的什么？
你的姐姐生了一个男孩，这个男孩是你的外甥 (wàishēng). 侄子 (zhízi) is your brother's son. 孙子 (sūnzi) is a grandson. 兄弟 (xiōngdì) means brothers.
以下哪句话正确使用了“外甥”？
外甥 (wàishēng) refers to your sister's son. Therefore, '我的妹妹有一个儿子，他是我的外甥' is the correct usage.
“外甥”可以指你的兄弟的儿子。
“外甥”特指你姐妹的儿子，而你兄弟的儿子被称为“侄子”。
如果你的妈妈有一个姐妹，那个姐妹的儿子是你的外甥。
你的妈妈的姐妹是你的阿姨，她的儿子是你的表兄弟。但是，这里的“外甥”是指你的姐妹的儿子。
“外甥”和“侄子”是同一个意思。
“外甥”是你姐妹的儿子，“侄子”是你兄弟的儿子。它们是不同的亲属称谓。
What does my maternal nephew like to do?
How many maternal nephews and nieces does she have?
Who came to my house yesterday?
Read this aloud:
我的外甥今天不上学。
Focus: 外甥 (wàishēng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你喜欢你的外甥吗？
Focus: 外甥 (wàishēng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我有一个可爱的外甥。
Focus: 外甥 (wàishēng)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine your sister just had a baby boy. Write a short message (3-4 sentences) to her, expressing your excitement and how you feel about becoming an aunt/uncle to your new 外甥.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
亲爱的姐姐，恭喜你！我听说你生了一个可爱的男宝宝，我真的很高兴。我等不及要见我的新外甥了！我很期待和他一起玩。
Describe a memory you have with a 外甥 (or a niece, if you don't have a nephew). What did you do together? How old was he/she? What made it memorable?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我记得有一次和我的外甥一起去公园玩。他当时只有五岁，非常可爱。我们一起踢足球，他还教我怎么玩他的新玩具。那次经历让我非常开心。
You are explaining to a Chinese friend what a "外甥" is in your culture. Write a short explanation (3-4 sentences) about the family relationship and any cultural differences or similarities.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在我们的文化中，外甥是指姐妹的儿子。这个词和中文的“外甥”是一样的。我们通常和外甥的关系也很亲近，就像家人一样。我很喜欢我的外甥。
根据这段话，作者和外甥的关系是什么样的？
Read this passage:
我的姐姐有一个可爱的儿子，他今年八岁了。他非常喜欢踢足球，每个周末我们都会一起去公园玩。他很有活力，总是让我觉得很开心。他就是我的小外甥。
根据这段话，作者和外甥的关系是什么样的？
文章中明确提到“我的姐姐有一个可爱的儿子”和“他就是我的小外甥”，表明了这种亲属关系。
文章中明确提到“我的姐姐有一个可爱的儿子”和“他就是我的小外甥”，表明了这种亲属关系。
从这段话中，我们可以看出小明对外甥的态度是？
Read this passage:
小明有一个很调皮的外甥。有一天，外甥在家里玩耍的时候不小心打碎了一个花瓶。小明看到后没有生气，反而安慰了外甥，并告诉他下次要小心。
从这段话中，我们可以看出小明对外甥的态度是？
尽管外甥打碎了花瓶，小明并没有生气，而是安慰了他，并教导他下次要小心，这表明小明是宽容和有耐心的。
尽管外甥打碎了花瓶，小明并没有生气，而是安慰了他，并教导他下次要小心，这表明小明是宽容和有耐心的。
这段话主要描述了作者和外甥们在什么时候的活动？
Read this passage:
每年春节，我们全家人都会聚在一起。我最喜欢和我的外甥们一起放鞭炮和玩游戏。他们总是给我带来很多欢乐。我们一起度过了很多美好的时光。
这段话主要描述了作者和外甥们在什么时候的活动？
文章开头明确指出“每年春节，我们全家人都会聚在一起”，所以活动是在春节期间。
文章开头明确指出“每年春节，我们全家人都会聚在一起”，所以活动是在春节期间。
This sentence means: 'He is my sister's son, and also my maternal nephew.'
This sentence means: 'I bought my maternal nephew new toys.'
This sentence means: 'His maternal nephew was still very young at that time.'
她妹妹生了一个儿子，所以这个孩子是她的___。
外甥 specifically refers to a sister's son. 侄子 (zhízi) is a brother's son.
每年春节，我都会给我的___准备红包。
It's common to give red envelopes to younger relatives like nephews and nieces during Chinese New Year.
我姐姐结婚后，我多了一个可爱的___。
After a sister gets married and has a son, that child becomes one's 外甥.
周末我常带我的___去公园玩。
Bringing a younger relative like a nephew to the park is a common activity.
她妈妈的妹妹有一个儿子，所以他是她的___。
Her mother's sister's son is also considered her maternal nephew.
他非常疼爱自己的___，经常给他买玩具。
It's common for aunts and uncles to dote on their nephews and nieces.
我姐姐的孩子是我什么？
你的姐姐的孩子，如果他是男孩，那么就是你的外甥。
如果我的妹妹有一个儿子，他就是我的______。
妹妹的儿子，相对于你而言，是外甥。侄子是指兄弟的儿子。
哪个词语是用来称呼你姐妹的儿子？
在外甥这个词中，'外'字表示这层亲戚关系是通过母亲的姐妹建立的。
“外甥”可以指代你哥哥的儿子。
“外甥”特指你姐妹的儿子。你哥哥的儿子应该称为“侄子”。
你的姨妈的儿子也可以被称为“外甥”。
“外甥”是专指姐妹的儿子。姨妈的儿子是表兄弟。
如果我是女性，我姐姐的儿子就是我的外甥。
无论你是男性还是女性，你姐妹的儿子都是你的外甥。
Imagine you are describing your family to a Chinese friend. Write a short paragraph introducing your sister's son, using the word '外甥'. Describe his age, a hobby, and something you like about him. Aim for 60-80 characters.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我姐姐有一个儿子，他是我的外甥。他今年八岁，很喜欢画画。我喜欢他总是那么有创意。
Your sister is asking you to babysit her son. Write a short message to her confirming you can do it and mentioning something fun you plan to do with your '外甥'. Aim for 50-70 characters.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
没问题，我可以帮你照顾外甥。我们可以一起去公园玩，他一定会很开心的！
Write a short social media post (around 50-70 characters) celebrating your '外甥's birthday. Include a wish for him.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
祝我最可爱的外甥生日快乐！希望你每天都开开心心，健康成长！
根据短文，小明的外甥喜欢什么？
Read this passage:
小明有一个很可爱的外甥，名叫大宝。大宝今年五岁，非常喜欢恐龙。每次小明去看他，大宝都会拉着小明的手，讲各种恐龙的故事。小明觉得和外甥在一起的时光总是充满乐趣。
根据短文，小明的外甥喜欢什么？
短文提到 '大宝今年五岁，非常喜欢恐龙。'
短文提到 '大宝今年五岁，非常喜欢恐龙。'
李阿姨为什么不常常见到她的外甥？
Read this passage:
李阿姨的姐姐住在国外，所以她不常常见到她的外甥。每次外甥回国探亲，李阿姨都会准备很多好吃的，带他去他喜欢的地方玩。李阿姨非常珍惜和外甥在一起的每一刻。
李阿姨为什么不常常见到她的外甥？
短文指出 '李阿姨的姐姐住在国外，所以她不常常见到她的外甥。' 暗示外甥也住在国外。
短文指出 '李阿姨的姐姐住在国外，所以她不常常见到她的外甥。' 暗示外甥也住在国外。
小华对他外甥的什么方面感到骄傲？
Read this passage:
张老师的班上有一个学生叫小华，他经常提到他的外甥。有一次，小华甚至带来了他外甥的画作给同学们看。从画中可以看出，他的外甥很有艺术天赋。
小华对他外甥的什么方面感到骄傲？
短文提到 '从画中可以看出，他的外甥很有艺术天赋。'
短文提到 '从画中可以看出，他的外甥很有艺术天赋。'
The correct order forms the sentence 'My sister's son is my maternal nephew.'
This puts the words in the correct order to ask 'How old is your maternal nephew this year?'
The correct order creates the sentence 'He dotes on his maternal nephew very much.'
她妹妹的儿子很聪明，是她最喜欢的小___。
The sentence refers to her sister's son, so '外甥' (wàishēng) is the correct term for a maternal nephew.
每年春节，他都会给远方的___寄去红包。
Giving red envelopes (红包) to younger relatives like nephews and nieces is a common Spring Festival tradition. '外甥' is a suitable recipient.
她姐姐的儿子放学后经常来她家玩，是个懂事的___。
The context implies a close relationship with her sister's son, making '外甥' the appropriate term.
作为阿姨，她很疼爱自己的___，经常带他出去玩。
An aunt (阿姨) would have a maternal nephew (外甥) or niece (外甥女). The sentence specifies '他' (he), so '外甥' is correct.
他周末会去看望他妹妹和她的___，帮他们修电脑。
He is visiting his sister (妹妹) and her son, which means it's his maternal nephew, '外甥'.
我的___已经上大学了，是个很有前途的年轻人。
This sentence can refer to a maternal nephew who is now grown up and attending university.
以下哪种亲属关系可以用“外甥”来描述？
“外甥”特指姐姐或妹妹的儿子，即外嫁女儿的儿子。所以，姐姐的儿子是外甥。
小明是李阿姨的姐姐的儿子。那么，小明是李阿姨的什么？
李阿姨的姐姐的儿子，按照亲属关系，就是李阿姨的外甥。
如果一个人说“我有一个可爱的外甥”，这意味着什么？
“外甥”指的是自己姐妹的儿子。
“外甥”可以用来指称兄弟的儿子。
兄弟的儿子应称为“侄子”，而“外甥”指的是姐妹的儿子。
在中文语境中，“外甥”和“侄子”是同义词。
“外甥”指姐妹的儿子，而“侄子”指兄弟的儿子，二者是不同的亲属关系。
如果你的母亲有一个姐姐，那么你母亲的姐姐的儿子就是你的外甥。
你母亲的姐姐的儿子是你的表哥或表弟，而不是你的外甥。外甥是你自己姐妹的儿子。
The speaker's maternal nephew got into Peking University. Listen for the achievement.
The maternal nephew visits every Chinese New Year. Focus on the frequency and occasion.
The speaker mentions both maternal nephew and maternal niece. Pay attention to both family members.
Read this aloud:
你喜欢和你的外甥一起玩吗？
Focus: wài shēng
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
请用“外甥”造一个句子。
Focus: wài shēng
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你的外甥有什么爱好？
Focus: wài shēng
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine your sister just had a baby boy. Write a short paragraph congratulating her and expressing your excitement to meet your new 外甥.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
亲爱的姐姐，恭喜你生了一个可爱的宝宝！我真是替你高兴。我已经迫不及待想见到我的小外甥了，他一定很可爱。期待早日见到你们！
Describe a memory you have with a 外甥 (or a friend's nephew if you don't have one). Focus on the activities you did together and the feelings associated with the memory.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我记得有一次和我的外甥去公园玩。他那时还小，特别喜欢在草地上跑来跑去。我们一起放风筝，他笑得很开心。那是一个非常美好的下午，每次想起都觉得很温暖。
You are writing an email to a Chinese friend, introducing your 外甥 who is coming to visit. Explain a little about his personality and what you plan to do with him.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
亲爱的朋友，告诉你一个好消息！我的外甥下个月会来我家玩几天。他是个非常活泼开朗的孩子，对什么都充满好奇心。我计划带他去参观一些当地的景点，也希望能带他尝尝我们这里的特色美食。到时候，有机会我介绍你们认识一下！
从文中可以看出，小明和王阿姨是什么关系？
Read this passage:
王阿姨最近有点烦恼。她的姐姐前年去世了，留下了年幼的儿子小明。小明现在和王阿姨一起生活。王阿姨把小明当亲生儿子一样照顾，但她知道自己毕竟是小明的阿姨，不是他的妈妈。她总是担心小明会觉得缺少母爱，所以对小明格外地好。小明虽然嘴上不说，但他心里明白王阿姨对他的爱。
从文中可以看出，小明和王阿姨是什么关系？
文中提到“她的姐姐前年去世了，留下了年幼的儿子小明”，所以王阿姨是小明的妈妈的妹妹，即小明的姨妈，小明是王阿姨的外甥。
文中提到“她的姐姐前年去世了，留下了年幼的儿子小明”，所以王阿姨是小明的妈妈的妹妹，即小明的姨妈，小明是王阿姨的外甥。
根据文章内容，李先生和张华的关系可以用哪个词来形容？
Read this passage:
李先生有一个外甥，名叫张华。张华从小就聪明伶俐，学习成绩一直名列前茅。李先生对外甥寄予厚望，经常鼓励他要努力学习，将来做个对社会有用的人。张华也没有辜负舅舅的期望，大学毕业后在一家著名的科技公司工作，经常回家看望舅舅，师长关系非常好。
根据文章内容，李先生和张华的关系可以用哪个词来形容？
文章明确说明“李先生有一个外甥，名叫张华”，因此他们是舅舅和外甥的关系，可以用“舅甥情谊”来形容。
文章明确说明“李先生有一个外甥，名叫张华”，因此他们是舅舅和外甥的关系，可以用“舅甥情谊”来形容。
这段文字主要表达了什么？
Read this passage:
在一个偏远的山村里，住着一对相依为命的姐弟。姐姐嫁到了邻村，生了一个儿子。弟弟因为身体不好，一直没有成家。姐姐的儿子，也就是弟弟的外甥，非常懂事。每次放假，他都会回到山村看望舅舅，帮舅舅做农活，陪舅舅聊天。舅舅虽然生活清贫，但有外甥的陪伴，感到非常幸福。
这段文字主要表达了什么？
文章着重描写了外甥如何看望舅舅，帮助舅舅做农活，陪舅舅聊天，以及舅舅因此感到幸福，体现了外甥对舅舅的孝顺与陪伴。
文章着重描写了外甥如何看望舅舅，帮助舅舅做农活，陪舅舅聊天，以及舅舅因此感到幸福，体现了外甥对舅舅的孝顺与陪伴。
This sentence structure is Subject (我的外甥) + Verb (喜欢) + Object (玩乐高).
The '把' (bǎ) structure is used to move the object (外甥) before the verb (当作). The full structure is Subject + 把 + Object + Verb + Complement.
This sentence describes an action. Subject (我的姐姐) + Verb (带着) + Object (她的外甥) + Purpose/Location (去公园散步).
以下哪一个词汇描述的是“姐姐的儿子”？
“外甥”特指姐姐或妹妹的儿子，是母系的侄子。
如果你的姐姐生了一个男孩，你应该称呼他为什么？
根据汉语亲属称谓，姐姐的儿子称为外甥。
以下哪个句子中“外甥”的用法是正确的？
外甥是指姐妹的儿子，所以妹妹的儿子是外甥。
“外甥”是指兄弟的儿子。
“外甥”是指姐妹的儿子，而兄弟的儿子称为“侄子”。
如果你的妹妹有一个儿子，你可以叫他“外甥”。
是的，根据汉语亲属称谓，妹妹的儿子是外甥。
“外甥”通常用于描述男性长辈对女性亲属孩子的称呼。
“外甥”是用于描述男性或女性长辈对女性亲属（姐妹）的孩子的称呼，而非特指男性长辈。
My sister's son, my nephew, got into Peking University this year.
Xiao Ming is the son of her only sister, so he is also her nephew.
Every Chinese New Year, I prepare a big red envelope for my nephew.
Read this aloud:
我的外甥非常聪明，学习成绩一直都很好。
Focus: 外甥
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你有没有外甥？他们多大了？
Focus: 外甥
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我的外甥女和外甥一起来我家玩了。
Focus: 外甥
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine your sister just had a baby boy. Write a short paragraph congratulating her and expressing your excitement about being an aunt/uncle to your new 外甥. Mention some activities you look forward to doing with him as he grows up.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
恭喜你喜得贵子！我真是太高兴能有一个可爱的外甥了。我已经开始期待他长大后我们可以一起玩各种游戏，比如踢足球或者一起看动画片。我会尽力做一个好阿姨/舅舅，陪伴他成长。
Describe a memorable experience you had with your 外甥 (or a friend's 外甥 if you don't have one). Focus on the details of the interaction and what made it special.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
去年夏天，我带着我的外甥去海边玩。他第一次见到大海，兴奋地跳来跳去，抓了一只小螃蟹，还非要我帮他堆一个巨大的沙堡。看着他无忧无虑的笑容，我觉得那真是一段特别美好的回忆。
Compare and contrast the roles and relationships of an '外甥' (maternal nephew) with a '侄子' (paternal nephew). Discuss potential cultural nuances or expectations associated with each.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在中文语境中，'外甥'指的是姐姐或妹妹的儿子，而'侄子'则是哥哥或弟弟的儿子。尽管两者都是侄辈，但其称谓反映了母系和父系亲属的区别。传统上，父系亲属（如侄子）在家族传承中可能扮演更重要的角色，而与外甥的关系则可能更多地侧重于情感维系和日常互动。不过，在现代社会，这些界限已逐渐模糊，与外甥和侄子的情感联系同样受到重视。
根据这段文字，王叔叔和李阿姨是什么关系？
Read this passage:
小明是李阿姨的儿子，但对王叔叔来说，小明是他的外甥。每年春节，王叔叔都会给小明准备一份特别的礼物。王叔叔和李阿姨是亲姐弟，所以他们一家人之间的感情非常深厚。
根据这段文字，王叔叔和李阿姨是什么关系？
文中明确提到“王叔叔和李阿姨是亲姐弟”，所以他们是姐弟关系。
文中明确提到“王叔叔和李阿姨是亲姐弟”，所以他们是姐弟关系。
小张的姐姐生的是男孩还是女孩？
Read this passage:
自从姐姐生了孩子，小张的生活也变得热闹起来。他周末经常去姐姐家看望他的小外甥，有时会给外甥买些玩具，有时则会陪他玩捉迷藏。小张觉得，有这样一个活泼可爱的小生命在身边，是件非常幸福的事。
小张的姐姐生的是男孩还是女孩？
文中提到小张去'看望他的小外甥'，而'外甥'特指姐姐或妹妹的儿子，因此是男孩。
文中提到小张去'看望他的小外甥'，而'外甥'特指姐姐或妹妹的儿子，因此是男孩。
根据这段文字，'表外甥'是指谁的儿子？
Read this passage:
在中国的传统文化中，家庭关系非常重要。称谓的运用更是体现了亲疏有别和伦理秩序。例如，对于母亲的姐妹的儿子，我们称之为表外甥，而对于父亲的姐妹的儿子，则称为表侄。这与'外甥'（姐姐或妹妹的儿子）的直系亲属关系有所不同。
根据这段文字，'表外甥'是指谁的儿子？
文中明确指出“对于母亲的姐妹的儿子，我们称之为表外甥”。
文中明确指出“对于母亲的姐妹的儿子，我们称之为表外甥”。
This sentence describes the maternal nephew pursuing a doctoral degree abroad, showcasing a formal and advanced context.
This sentence uses '倾注心血' (to pour one's heart and soul into) and '视如己出' (to treat as one's own child) to convey a deep emotional connection and high level of care, fitting for C2.
This sentence uses advanced vocabulary like '屡次' (repeatedly), '循循善诱' (to guide patiently and systematically), and '不离不弃' (never abandon) to express a complex family dynamic, suitable for C2.
/ 162 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
外甥 specifically refers to your sister's son, or a maternal nephew.
- 外甥 is your sister's son.
- It's a maternal nephew.
- Used for sons of female siblings.
Remembering Wàishēng
Think of it as 'outside' (外, wài) + 'student/offspring' (甥, shēng). The 'outside' helps you remember it's not from the paternal side.
Distinguishing Wàishēng
It specifically refers to your sister's son. It does not refer to your brother's son. For your brother's son, you would use 侄子 (zhízi).
Don't Confuse with Zhízi
A common mistake is to use 外甥 for any nephew. Remember, 外甥 (wàishēng) is your sister's son, and 侄子 (zhízi) is your brother's son. Keep them separate!
Visual Aid for Family Terms
Draw a small family tree. Put yourself in the middle, your sister next to you, and her son (外甥) branching off from her. This visual will help you remember the relationship.
