外甥 wàisheng sister's son
sister's son; wife's sibling's son
How to remember 外甥: 外 outside + 甥 niece = sister's son.
Characters
How it is used
- Your sister's son - nephew on the sister's side (or wife's sibling's son): 我外甥 (wǒ wàisheng) my nephew.
- Chinese kinship is precise: 侄子 (zhízi) is your brother's son, 外甥 is your sister's son; the 外 marks the 'outside/other-surname' family line.
- The female counterpart is 外甥女 (wàishengnǚ), niece via one's sister.
Example sentences
- 我有两个外甥女。 Wǒ yǒu liǎnggè wàishēngnǚ.I have two nieces.