qīnqi: 亲戚 - Relatives, Kin

• Keywords: qinqi, 亲戚, Chinese relatives, kin, family in China, extended family Chinese, Chinese family structure, visiting relatives in China, zǒu qīnqi, Chinese culture family
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 亲戚 (qīnqi), meaning “relatives” or “kin.” This guide explores the deep cultural significance of extended family in China, contrasting it with Western concepts. Discover how 亲戚 form the backbone of social networks (guanxi), influence major life decisions, and play a central role during holidays like Chinese New Year. This page includes practical examples, common mistakes, and related vocabulary for a complete understanding.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qīnqi
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A relative or the collective group of one's relatives (kin), typically referring to the extended family rather than the immediate household.
• In a Nutshell: 亲戚 (qīnqi) is the go-to word for everyone in your family who isn't your parent, sibling, or child. Think aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents, both on your mother's and father's side. It represents a vast, interconnected web of relationships that carries significant social weight and obligation in Chinese culture.

• 亲 (qīn): This character means “close,” “intimate,” or “parent.” It's the same character in `母亲 (mǔqīn)` for “mother” and `父亲 (fùqīn)` for “father.” It establishes a sense of closeness and blood connection.
• 戚 (qī): This character means “relative” or “kin,” particularly relatives through marriage.
• Together, 亲戚 (qīnqi) combines the concepts of close blood relatives (亲) and relatives by marriage (戚) to create the all-encompassing term for one's extended family or kin network.

In Chinese culture, the concept of 亲戚 (qīnqi) is far more structured and significant than the general English term “relatives.” It's not just a collection of people you see at holidays; it's a fundamental pillar of society and personal identity.

• The Family Network: Unlike the Western emphasis on the nuclear family, Chinese culture traditionally values a large, interconnected network of 亲戚. This network provides mutual support, financial help, job opportunities, and social standing. Your 亲戚 are an integral part of your `关系 (guānxi)` network.
• Specific Naming and Hierarchy: The importance of this network is reflected in the language. Chinese has highly specific terms for almost every type of relative, distinguishing between your mother's side (e.g., `舅舅 jiùjiu` - mother's brother) and your father's side (e.g., `叔叔 shūshu` - father's younger brother). This is a stark contrast to the generic English “uncle.” This specificity reinforces each person's unique position and the expected roles and hierarchies within the family, which are tied to Confucian values of respect for elders (`长辈 zhǎngbèi`).
• Obligation and “Face”: Being 亲戚 comes with a strong sense of mutual obligation. You are expected to attend weddings, funerals, and of course, visit during Chinese New Year (`走亲戚 zǒu qīnqi`). Helping a relative is not just a kind gesture; it's often a social duty. These interactions are crucial for maintaining `面子 (miànzi)`, or “face,” for the entire family.

While traditional family structures are evolving, 亲戚 remains a powerful force in modern life.

• Holiday Gatherings: Chinese New Year is the prime time for 亲戚. The practice of `走亲戚 (zǒu qīnqi)`, or “visiting relatives,” is a central tradition. This often involves traveling to different relatives' homes over several days, eating, exchanging red envelopes (`红包 hóngbāo`), and catching up.
• Nosy but Caring: For younger generations, gatherings of 亲戚 can be a source of both warmth and stress. It's very common for aunts and uncles to ask probing questions about your salary, marital status, and plans for having children. While it can feel intrusive, it's generally framed as a sign of care and concern for your well-being.
• Life's Big Moments: From finding your first job to getting a loan for an apartment, the 亲戚 network is often the first place people turn for help. A relative's recommendation can be more powerful than a formal application.

• Example 1:
  • 我家有很多亲戚，春节的时候特别热闹。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jiā yǒu hěn duō qīnqi, Chūnjié de shíhou tèbié rènào.
  • English: My family has a lot of relatives, so it's especially lively during the Spring Festival.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and neutral statement about the size of one's extended family.
• Example 2:
  • 这个周末我们要去乡下走亲戚。
  • Pinyin: Zhège zhōumò wǒmen yào qù xiāngxià zǒu qīnqi.
  • English: This weekend we're going to the countryside to visit relatives.
  • Analysis: This uses the set phrase `走亲戚 (zǒu qīnqi)`, which specifically means “to visit relatives.”
• Example 3:
  • 他是我远房的亲戚，我们不常联系。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì wǒ yuǎnfáng de qīnqi, wǒmen bù cháng liánxì.
  • English: He is a distant relative of mine; we don't contact each other often.
  • Analysis: The term `远房 (yuǎnfáng)` is used to specify a “distant” relative, as opposed to a close one.
• Example 4:
  • A: 你和他是亲戚吗？ B: 是的，他是我表哥。
  • Pinyin: A: Nǐ hé tā shì qīnqi ma? B: Shì de, tā shì wǒ biǎogē.
  • English: A: Are you and he relatives? B: Yes, he is my older male cousin (on my mother's side).
  • Analysis: Here, 亲戚 is used in a question to establish a relationship. The answer then provides a more specific term (`表哥`).
• Example 5:
  • 过年回家，最怕亲戚问我工资多少。
  • Pinyin: Guònián huí jiā, zuì pà qīnqi wèn wǒ gōngzī duōshǎo.
  • English: Going home for the New Year, the thing I fear most is relatives asking me how much my salary is.
  • Analysis: This shows a common, slightly negative, and very relatable modern complaint about dealing with nosy 亲戚.
• Example 6:
  • 如果没有亲戚的帮助，我不可能这么快找到工作。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu qīnqi de bāngzhù, wǒ bù kěnéng zhème kuài zhǎodào gōngzuò.
  • English: If it weren't for my relatives' help, I couldn't have found a job so quickly.
  • Analysis: This highlights the positive, supportive role of the 亲戚 network.
• Example 7:
  • 在中国，亲戚关系非常重要。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, qīnqi guānxi fēicháng zhòngyào.
  • English: In China, relationships with relatives are extremely important.
  • Analysis: A simple, factual sentence explaining the cultural importance of the concept.
• Example 8:
  • 他把所有的亲戚都请来参加他的婚礼。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ suǒyǒu de qīnqi dōu qǐng lái cānjiā tā de hūnlǐ.
  • English: He invited all of his relatives to attend his wedding.
  • Analysis: This shows how 亲戚 are central to major life events like weddings.
• Example 9:
  • 我们两家是亲戚，以后要多走动。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen liǎng jiā shì qīnqi, yǐhòu yào duō zǒudòng.
  • English: Our two families are related, we should visit each other more in the future.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the social obligation to maintain the relationship. `多走动 (duō zǒudòng)` literally means “walk around more” but here it means “visit more often.”
• Example 10:
  • 这位是我的一个亲戚，从上海来看我。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi shì wǒ de yí ge qīnqi, cóng Shànghǎi lái kàn wǒ.
  • English: This is a relative of mine, who came from Shanghai to see me.
  • Analysis: A simple, polite way to introduce a relative without specifying the exact relationship. The measure word `位 (wèi)` is more polite than `个 (ge)`.

• Not for Your Immediate Family: While your parents and siblings are technically relatives, you would almost never refer to them as 亲戚. 亲戚 is used for your extended family. If you point to your dad and say `这是我的一个亲戚` (“This is one of my relatives”), it would sound very strange and distant. You should use the specific term, e.g., `我爸爸 (wǒ bàba)`.
• Broader than “In-laws”: The term covers relatives by both blood and marriage. A common mistake is to think it only refers to blood relatives. Your brother-in-law, mother-in-law, etc., are all considered your 亲戚.
• “Family” vs. “Relatives”: Don't confuse 亲戚 (qīnqi) with `家人 (jiārén)`. `家人` means “family members,” but almost always refers to your immediate, nuclear family that you live with or are closest to (parents, spouse, children). 亲戚 is the broader network. All your `家人` are your 亲戚, but not all your 亲戚 are your `家人`.

• 家人 (jiārén) - “Family members,” typically referring to the immediate family (parents, spouse, children). More intimate than 亲戚.
• 亲人 (qīnrén) - “Close relatives” or “loved ones.” This term carries a strong emotional weight and can include immediate family and very close extended family.
• 家庭 (jiātíng) - “Family” or “household.” Refers to the family unit as a whole.
• 走亲戚 (zǒu qīnqi) - The specific cultural practice of “visiting relatives,” especially during holidays.
• 关系 (guānxi) - The system of social networks and influential relationships. The 亲戚 network is often the first and most important layer of one's `关系`.
• 长辈 (zhǎngbèi) - “Elders” or “older generation.” A term of respect often used for older 亲戚.
• 晚辈 (wǎnbèi) - “Younger generation.” The counterpart to `长辈`.
• 表亲 (biǎoqīn) - Relatives who do not share your surname, typically from your mother's side or from your father's sisters' side. (e.g., maternal uncles, cousins with a different last name).
• 堂亲 (tángqīn) - Relatives who share your surname, from your father's brothers' side. (e.g., paternal uncles and their children).