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March 24, 2026
亲戚(親戚)qīnqi(qin1qi5)
亲戚 (qīnqi) refers to relatives or family members, encompassing a wide range of relationships including cousins, uncles, and aunts. This term is commonly used in contexts involving family gatherings, discussions about ancestry, or when referring to one's extended family.
Frequency#4115DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, family is often considered the cornerstone of society, and 亲戚 relationships extend beyond immediate family to a large network of relatives who may be involved in personal and social affairs.
Memory Tip
Think of 亲 (qīn) as 'close' and 戚 (qi) as 'kin'; together they create the image of close family ties. Picture a family tree where every branch connects to those you hold dear, emphasizing the closeness of your relatives.
Meanings of 亲戚
qīnqi(qin1qi5)
1a relative (i.e. family relation)
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About 亲戚
亲戚Simplified
親戚Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4115Frequency Rank
门Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 亲戚
Podcast: 亲戚
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AI Study Notes for 亲戚
Quick Contrast
表亲 (biǎoqīn) — use 亲戚 for a broader range of family relationships beyond just cousins.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 亲 (qīn) as 'close' and 戚 (qi) as 'kin'; together they create the image of close family ties. Picture a family tree where every branch connects to those you hold dear, emphasizing the closeness of your relatives.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 亲戚 with 朋友 (péngyǒu, friend) in contexts where family is being discussed. The term is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings. Common collocations include 亲戚关系 (qīnqi guānxì, family relations) and 亲戚们 (qīnqi men, relatives).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 亲戚 is connected to family vocabulary and social relationships. Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe family structures or gatherings, integrating it with other family-related terms to build context.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, family is often considered the cornerstone of society, and 亲戚 relationships extend beyond immediate family to a large network of relatives who may be involved in personal and social affairs.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 亲戚 with 亲密 (qīnmì, intimate) due to the similar root. For example, saying '我有很多亲密' (I have many intimates) instead of '我有很多亲戚' (I have many relatives) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 亲戚
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Grammar Patterns of 亲戚
亲戚 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他有个____住在这条马路上。
He had a relation who lived up the road.
Example Sentences for 亲戚 (10)
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1
他有个亲戚住在这条马路上。
tā yǒu gè qīn qī zhù zài zhè tiáo mǎ lù shàng。
He had a relation who lived up the road.
2
他们以为他们的亲戚们会把签证办好。
tā mén yǐ wéi tā mén de qīn qī mén huì bǎ qiān zhèng bàn hǎo。
They thought that their relatives would be able to fix the visas.
3
我们全家和所有的亲戚都来参加祖父的八十岁寿宴.
wǒ mén quán jiā hé suǒ yǒu de qīn qī dū lái cān jiā zǔ fù de bā shí suì shòu yàn.
All our family came to our grandfather's eightieth birthday party.
I scraped by borrowing from my relations until my next check arrived.
7
利用亲戚自饱私囊是不应该的.
lì yòng qīn qī zì bǎo sī náng shì bù yīng gāi de.
It is not fair to batten on one's relatives.
8
她谈起她的亲戚度假时，我觉得她心里酸酸的。
tā tán qǐ tā de qīn qī dù jiǎ shí， ， wǒ jué dé tā xīn lǐ suān suān。
I sensed her wistfulness when she talked about vacations her relatives took.
9
丽莉受不了穷亲戚们那种乞丐般的苦日子.
lì lì shòu bù le qióng qīn qī mén nà zhǒng qǐ gài bān de kǔ rì zǐ.
Lily had no mind for the vagabond life of the poor relation.
10
他的穷亲戚都到他家来度假.
tā de qióng qīn qī dū dào tā jiā lái dù jiǎ.
All his poor kinfolks came to spend their holidays at his home.
Cultural Notes for 亲戚
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, family is often considered the cornerstone of society, and 亲戚 relationships extend beyond immediate family to a large network of relatives who may be involved in personal and social affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions about 亲戚
亲戚 refers to relatives beyond immediate family, while 家人 (jiārén) specifically means family members living under the same roof.
It depends on the relationship; for example, you can use terms like 姨 (yí, maternal aunt) or 叔叔 (shūshu, uncle) for specificity.
Yes, 亲戚 can be used in both formal and informal conversations when discussing family.
