外甥 (wàisheng) refers to a nephew, specifically the son of one's sister. This term highlights the maternal side of family relationships, which is significant in Chinese culture where kinship is often emphasized. It's commonly used in familial contexts to discuss family gatherings, lineage, or inheritance.
HSK 6, 16 strokes, Hard
wàisheng(wai4sheng1) T4
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May 27, 2026
外甥wàisheng(wai4sheng1)
外甥 (wàisheng) refers to a nephew, specifically the son of one's sister. This term highlights the maternal side of family relationships, which is significant in Chinese culture where kinship is often emphasized. It's commonly used in familial contexts to discuss family gatherings, lineage, or inheritance.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the maternal side of the family often plays a significant role in one's life, which is reflected in the specific terms used for relatives. Celebrations and traditions frequently involve the maternal uncle or aunt, making the term 外甥 quite significant.
Memory Tip
Imagine a family reunion where your sister's son is playing outside. The character '外' (wài) looks like a roof with a person outside, indicating 'external' or 'outside,' while '甥' (shēng) can remind you of 'sibling' sounds like 'seng' in 'cousin.' Together, they form '外甥,' your 'outside sibling,' the son of your sister.
About 外甥
外甥Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 外甥
Podcast: 外甥
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AI Study Notes for 外甥
Quick Contrast
外甥 (wàisheng) vs 侄子 (zhízi): use 外甥 for a sister's son, and 侄子 for a brother's son.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a family reunion where your sister's son is playing outside. The character '外' (wài) looks like a roof with a person outside, indicating 'external' or 'outside,' while '甥' (shēng) can remind you of 'sibling' sounds like 'seng' in 'cousin.' Together, they form '外甥,' your 'outside sibling,' the son of your sister.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 外甥 with 侄子 (zhízi), which refers to a nephew from a brother. It's important to use 外甥 specifically for the maternal nephew. This term is generally informal but can be used in various settings, so be aware of the context when discussing family.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK 6, focus on using 外甥 in more complex sentences about family dynamics. Connect it with other family-related vocabulary such as 姐姐 (jiějie - older sister) and 兄弟 (xiōngdì - brothers) to strengthen your understanding of family terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the maternal side of the family often plays a significant role in one's life, which is reflected in the specific terms used for relatives. Celebrations and traditions frequently involve the maternal uncle or aunt, making the term 外甥 quite significant.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly use 外甥 when referring to a male cousin, but remember that it specifically means 'nephew' through a sister. For example, saying '我有一个外甥和表弟' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè wàisheng hé biǎodì) is incorrect if you mean cousin; '表弟' (biǎodì) is the correct term for a cousin.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 外甥
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Cultural Notes for 外甥
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the maternal side of the family often plays a significant role in one's life, which is reflected in the specific terms used for relatives. Celebrations and traditions frequently involve the maternal uncle or aunt, making the term 外甥 quite significant.
Frequently Asked Questions about 外甥
外甥 refers specifically to a nephew from your sister, while 侄子 refers to a nephew from your brother.
No, 外甥 specifically refers to a male nephew; the term for a female niece is 外甥女 (wàishengnǚ).
While it is primarily informal, it can be used in formal contexts when discussing family relations in appropriate settings.
