Beginner Chinese · Simplified characters · 10 focus words
Meet the family
Learn family words and introduce someone using 这是我的… .
Your goal: Introduce a family member and distinguish older and younger siblings.
01 · Read
Get to know the words.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 家人 | jiārén | family members |
| 爸爸 | bàba | dad |
| 妈妈 | māma | mom |
| 哥哥 | gēge | older brother |
| 弟弟 | dìdi | younger brother |
| 姐姐 | jiějie | older sister |
| 妹妹 | mèimei | younger sister |
| 我 | wǒ | I; me |
| 的 | de | possession marker |
| 这 | zhè | this |
Supporting words for the sentence exercises (1)
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 是 | shì | be; am; is; are |
哥哥 and 弟弟 distinguish an older brother from a younger brother; 姐姐 and 妹妹 do the same for sisters. In close relationships, 的 can sometimes be omitted: 我妈妈. Here we keep it to practise the pattern.
Pinyin in the word list shows the reading used here. Neutral syllables have no tone mark. Spoken tone changes can differ from dictionary tones; these activities do not include audio.
02 · Write
Watch a stroke. Try it yourself.
Write 爸爸 and 妈妈 in word mode. Then compare 哥哥 with 弟弟 and 姐姐 with 妹妹. Keep both characters in each repeated family word.
Start with the guides visible. Replay any character you need, then try with less help. Writing practice works through the characters in your focus vocabulary.
03 · Build
Put the words to work.
Read the examples, then arrange the same words in the guided sentence tool. Supporting words are listed above.
这是我的妈妈。
Zhè shì wǒ de māma.
This is my mom.
我的 means “my”. 这是我的妈妈 introduces the person as your mom.
这是我的哥哥。
Zhè shì wǒ de gēge.
This is my older brother.
Replace 妈妈 with 哥哥 to introduce an older brother. Use 弟弟 for a younger brother.
Opens this lesson’s guided set. Your solved exercises are kept; the current exercise starts at the beginning of this set.
04 · Remember
Try without the model.
Answer on paper or aloud before opening each answer.
Which word means “younger sister”: 姐姐 or 妹妹?
Show answer
妹妹 (mèimei). 姐姐 (jiějie) is an older sister.
Introduce your older brother using “This is my…”.
Show answer
这是我的哥哥。 Zhè shì wǒ de gēge.
05 · Keep practising
Take this lesson to paper.
家人 jiārén · family members
爸爸 bàba · dad
妈妈 māma · mom
Studio opens with the 10 focus words and this lesson’s title. Choose your tracing and repetition settings, then print or save as PDF from your browser. Supporting sentence words can be added in Settings.
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Introduce yourself
Say who you are, give your name and ask whether someone is a student.
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