How to Talk About Family in Mandarin Chinese: Using Possessive Adjectives
Learn to say who is in your family in Mandarin Chinese. Use possessive adjectives like 我的 (wǒ de) to talk about sisters, brothers, and parents, and say where they live.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In Mandarin Chinese, talking about family is a common and useful skill. Unlike introducing yourself with personal details like your name or job, this lesson focuses on relationships. You will learn to say phrases like 'I have two sisters' or 'My parents live abroad.' The key is the possessive adjective 我的 (wǒ de), which means 'my.' In Chinese, possessive adjectives do not change based on the noun's gender or number. Also, Mandarin does not have plural endings on nouns, so 姐姐 (jiějie) can mean 'older sister' or 'older sisters' depending on context. You will also learn the verb 有 (yǒu) meaning 'to have,' and how to say where someone lives using 住在 (zhù zài). By the end, you will be able to describe your family size and location simply and clearly.
By the end, you can…
- say how many sisters or brothers I have using 有 (yǒu).
- use 我的 (wǒ de) to talk about my parents, siblings, and other family members.
- say where my family lives using 住在 (zhù zài).
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我有两个姐姐。
I have two older sisters.
wǒ yǒu liǎng ge jiějie.
Use 两个 (liǎng ge) for 'two' before a noun. 姐姐 (jiějie) means older sister; no plural ending is added.
我的父母住在国外。
My parents live abroad.
wǒ de fùmǔ zhù zài guówài.
我的 (wǒ de) means 'my.' 父母 (fùmǔ) means parents. 住在 (zhù zài) means 'live in/at.' 国外 (guó wài) means abroad.
我有一个哥哥。
I have one older brother.
wǒ yǒu yí ge gēge.
Use 一个 (yí ge) for 'one' before a noun. 哥哥 (gēge) means older brother.
我没有兄弟姐妹。
I don't have siblings.
wǒ méi yǒu xiōngdì jiěmèi.
没有 (méi yǒu) is the negative of 有 (yǒu). 兄弟姐妹 (xiōngdì jiěmèi) means siblings (brothers and sisters).
我的家在中国。
My family is in China.
wǒ de jiā zài Zhōngguó.
家 (jiā) can mean 'home' or 'family.' 在 (zài) means 'at/in.' Use this to say where your family is located.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To talk about family members, use the pattern: 我 + 有 + number + measure word + family member. For example, 我有两个姐姐 (wǒ yǒu liǎng ge jiějie) means 'I have two older sisters.' The measure word 个 (ge) is used for people. To say 'my,' add 的 (de) after 我 (wǒ): 我的 (wǒ de). For example, 我的父母 (wǒ de fùmǔ) means 'my parents.' To say where someone lives, use 住在 (zhù zài) + place. For example, 我的父母住在国外 (wǒ de fùmǔ zhù zài guówài) means 'My parents live abroad.' Note that Chinese nouns do not change for plural, so 姐姐 can mean one or more sisters depending on context.
When to use it
Use these phrases when someone asks about your family, such as 你有几个兄弟姐妹？ (nǐ yǒu jǐ ge xiōngdì jiěmèi?) meaning 'How many siblings do you have?' You can answer with 我有... (wǒ yǒu...). Use 我的 (wǒ de) when you want to specify whose family member you are talking about, like 我的妈妈 (wǒ de māma) 'my mother.' If you want to say where your family lives, use 住在 (zhù zài) + place. For example, 我的家在中国 (wǒ de jiā zài Zhōngguó) means 'My family is in China.' Remember that 我的 is optional when the relationship is clear from context, but including it is never wrong.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你有几个兄弟姐妹？
How many siblings do you have?nǐ yǒu jǐ ge xiōngdì jiěmèi?我有两个姐姐和一个哥哥。
I have two older sisters and one older brother.wǒ yǒu liǎng ge jiějie hé yí ge gēge.你的父母住在哪里？
Where do your parents live?nǐ de fùmǔ zhù zài nǎlǐ?我的父母住在国外。
My parents live abroad.wǒ de fùmǔ zhù zài guówài.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese culture, family terms are very specific. For example, 姐姐 (jiějie) means older sister, while 妹妹 (mèimei) means younger sister. Similarly, 哥哥 (gēge) is older brother and 弟弟 (dìdi) is younger brother. When talking about siblings, it's common to specify age order. Also, asking about family is a normal part of getting to know someone, but be prepared to share similar information in return. Avoid using 我的 (wǒ de) excessively; it's often omitted when the relationship is clear, but using it is not incorrect.
One thing to watch for
Adding a plural ending to Chinese nouns, like saying 姐姐们 (jiějie men) for 'sisters' when you mean exactly two.
Try this instead: Chinese nouns do not have plural endings. To say 'two sisters,' use 两个姐姐 (liǎng ge jiějie). The suffix 们 (men) is used for groups of people, like 我们 (wǒmen) 'we,' but it is not used after specific numbers. So say 两个姐姐, not 两个姐姐们.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I have one younger brother' in Chinese?
Show a sample answer
我有一个弟弟。 (wǒ yǒu yí ge dìdi.)
This uses 我 (I) + 有 (have) + 一个 (one) + 弟弟 (younger brother). The measure word 个 is used. You could also say 我有个弟弟 (wǒ yǒu ge dìdi) in casual speech, omitting 一 (one).
2Translate into Chinese: 'My parents live in China.'
Show a sample answer
我的父母住在中国。 (wǒ de fùmǔ zhù zài Zhōngguó.)
This uses 我的 (my) + 父母 (parents) + 住在 (live in) + 中国 (China). You can also say 我父母住在中国 (wǒ fùmǔ zhù zài Zhōngguó) without 的, which is also correct.
3What is the negative form of 我有 (wǒ yǒu) and how would you say 'I don't have sisters'?
Show a sample answer
我没有姐妹。 (wǒ méi yǒu jiěmèi.)
The negative of 有 is 没有 (méi yǒu). 姐妹 (jiěmèi) means sisters. You can also say 我没有姐姐 (wǒ méi yǒu jiějie) if you mean older sisters specifically.
To talk about family in Chinese, use 我的 (wǒ de) for 'my,' 有 (yǒu) for 'have,' and 住在 (zhù zài) for 'live in.' Remember that nouns don't change for plural, and measure words like 个 (ge) are used with numbers.
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