seniority; generation; rank in family hierarchy
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
seniority; rank in the family or clan hierarchy; generation
informalA key concept in traditional Chinese family/social relationships. Determined by one's position in the generational lineage, not necessarily by age. The suffix '儿' indicates erhua (儿化音), a common feature in Northern Mandarin, especially in spoken language.
Tā他
suī虽
rán然
nián年
jì纪
qīng轻
，
bèi辈
shù数
r儿
xiǎo小
，
dàn但
zài在
cūn村
lǐ里
hěn很
yǒu有
wēi威
xìn信
。
Although he is young and of a lower seniority rank, he commands great respect in the village.
Zài在
dà大
jiā家
zú族
lǐ里
，
bèi辈
shù数
r儿
shì是
bù不
néng能
luàn乱
de的
。
In a large clan, the hierarchy of seniority must not be confused.
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Àn按
bèi辈
shù数
r儿
pái排
，
wǒ我
děi得
jiào叫
tā他
yī一
shēng声
shū叔
gōng公
。
According to seniority ranking, I have to call him granduncle.
Tā他
men们
jiā家
bèi辈
shù数
r儿
dà大
，
cūn村
lǐ里
rén人
dōu都
jìng敬
zhe着
tā他
men们
。
Their family holds a high seniority rank, so everyone in the village respects them.