Unit 1: Families in Different Societies

家庭 (jiātíng)

“Family/household” as a topic that connects identity, responsibility, relationships, and social structure (not just kinship terms).

Perspectives–Practices–Products

AP cultural framework: perspectives = values/attitudes; practices = what people do; products = traditions, institutions, roles, and artifacts that reflect culture.

核心家庭 (nuclear family)

A family structure where parents and children live together; common in cities.

大家庭 / 扩大家庭 (extended family)

A family structure including relatives beyond parents and children (e.g., grandparents, aunts/uncles), often living together or staying closely connected.

单亲家庭 (single-parent family)

A family in which only one parent raises the child(ren).

重组家庭 (blended family)

A family formed after remarriage; children may come from different previous marriages.

丁克家庭 (DINK)

“Double income, no kids”; a couple with two incomes who choose not to have children.

隔代抚养 (intergenerational caregiving)

Grandparents help raise children, sometimes as primary caregivers.

父权 / 长幼秩序 (patriarchy & age hierarchy)

A more hierarchical family order where an older male (often the father) is seen as the decision-maker; elders often have higher authority.

母系 vs. 父系 (maternal vs. paternal side)

A key distinction in Chinese kinship terms: relatives are labeled differently depending on whether they are from the mother’s side or the father’s side.

长幼 (older vs. younger)

Kinship terms often mark age order (e.g., older vs. younger brother; father’s older vs. younger brother).

辈分 / 代际 (generation level)

Kinship terms reflect generation (same generation vs. elders vs. younger generation) and clarify family hierarchy.

爷爷 (yéye)

Paternal grandfather (father’s father).

奶奶 (nǎinai)

Paternal grandmother (father’s mother).

外公 (wàigōng)

Maternal grandfather (mother’s father).

外婆 (wàipó)

Maternal grandmother (mother’s mother).

伯伯 (bóbo)

Father’s older brother (paternal uncle who is older than your father).

叔叔 (shūshu)

Father’s younger brother (paternal uncle who is younger than your father).

姑姑 (gūgu)

Father’s sister (paternal aunt).

舅舅 (jiùjiu)

Mother’s brother (maternal uncle).

阿姨 (āyí)

Mother’s sister (maternal aunt); also commonly used to politely address an adult woman who is not a relative.

堂兄/堂姐/堂弟/堂妹 (táng cousins)

Cousins from the father’s side sharing the same paternal lineage (same surname line).

表兄/表姐/表弟/表妹 (biǎo cousins)

Cousins from the mother’s side or other non-paternal-line relatives (not the same direct paternal lineage).

叔叔/阿姨 as generic address

Polite, friendly ways to address non-relative adults; useful when you’re unsure of exact kinship terms.

当面称呼 (addressing) vs. 提到某人 (referring)

Chinese distinguishes calling someone directly (e.g., “奶奶，您好”) from talking about them (e.g., “我奶奶…”).

您 (nín)

Respectful form of “you,” commonly used when speaking to elders or in polite situations.

孝顺 / 孝 (filial piety)

Respect, care, and responsibility toward parents and elders; can include caregiving, listening seriously, and helping parents feel reassured.

儒家传统 (Confucian tradition)

A tradition emphasizing ethics, education, self-cultivation, social roles, respect for authority, and orderly relationships.

孔子 (Confucius)

Influential thinker (551–479 BCE) associated with Confucian values such as ethics, education, social harmony, and respect for authority.

《孝经》 (Classic of Filial Piety)

A classic text often cited in cultural materials to discuss and explain filial piety.

面子 (face)

Reputation, social standing, and dignity; “giving face” can mean showing respect publicly and discussing disagreements privately.

和谐 (harmony)

A valued goal in family/social relationships; often encourages indirect, tactful expression and reducing open conflict.

尊重权威 / 长幼有序

A value emphasizing respect for elders and established roles, often shaping decision-making and communication in families.

调解 (mediation)

Resolving conflict through a third party or a conciliatory process rather than direct confrontation.

妥协 (compromise)

Reaching a middle ground in a disagreement to maintain relationships and reduce conflict.

分担 (to share a burden)

To share tasks or pressures, such as dividing chores or splitting responsibilities among family members.

承担 (to take on responsibility)

To accept and carry responsibility and/or consequences (e.g., 承担责任).

沟通 (communication)

Talking through issues with family members to explain feelings, negotiate rules, and maintain trust.

做家务 (household chores)

Routine tasks at home such as washing dishes, cleaning, and taking out trash; often discussed with role division and frequency.

家规 (family rules)

Rules/expectations at home (e.g., curfew, study requirements) often expressed with structures like 应该/必须/不能.

软化语气 (softening/hedging)

Making requests or disagreements sound less harsh using phrases like “我觉得…,” “可能…,” and offering alternatives.

我明白你的意思，不过…

A polite disagreement frame meaning “I understand your point, but…,” used to keep conversation respectful.

因为…所以…

Cause–effect connector meaning “because… therefore…,” used to explain reasons clearly.

虽然…但是…

Contrast connector meaning “although… yet…,” used to show complexity and balance.

一方面…另一方面…

Two-sided analysis structure meaning “on one hand… on the other hand…,” used to present pros/cons or competing factors.

如果…就…

Conditional structure meaning “if… then…,” often used for negotiation and proposing solutions.

Interpretive mode (AP)

AP communication mode focused on understanding messages (reading/listening), identifying relationships, context, causes, and viewpoints without adding personal opinions.

Interpersonal mode (AP)

AP communication mode focused on interaction (speaking/writing), including responding, asking follow-up questions, negotiating, and maintaining politeness.

Presentational mode (AP)

AP communication mode focused on organized speaking/writing for an audience (describe, explain meaning, and compare with reasons).

文化比较 (cultural comparison)

An AP task comparing two cultural contexts with evidence and reasons (not stereotypes), often using similarity + difference + explanation.