Comments on: Mandarin and Taiwanese family names

By: Dr. Cool

Dr. Cool — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:37:04 +0000

This is a comprehensive list. I’ve enjoyed your website. Thanks for sharing!

By: dan

dan — Mon, 16 May 2011 04:19:42 +0000

came across this entry through a google search… this is great. i’m always confused what to call certain family members when i go visit them in taiwan.

By: Happy

Happy — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:06:13 +0000

Hi, does anyone know how to call the son/daughter of your cousin (who is your dad’s brother’s kids)堂哥 / 堂弟 / 堂姊 / 堂妹? And vice versa – how would they call you? This has always been a mystery for me.

By: Shu Heerdt

Shu Heerdt — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 04:27:24 +0000

I really enjoy this blog. Wewish we could come here everyday\all day.

By: simplicity778

simplicity778 — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 17:54:08 +0000

I call my cousins the same as if they were my siblings (gehgeh, jiehjieh, etc), so that’s why I figure one would refer the same to the parent’s oounsins. Maybe the Mrs does the same?

By: The Expatriate

The Expatriate — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 02:31:41 +0000

I’m not sure, as I’ve never run into any of Mrs. Expatriate’s father’s/mother’s cousins. In English, it would be a “1st cousin once removed” which is getting pretty far out there. If I remember, I’ll ask Mrs. Expatriate next time, although that starts getting into really extended family.

By: simplicity778

simplicity778 — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 21:51:01 +0000

What about your father’s/mother’s cousins? I remember calling my mother’s male cousin “agu” (same as mother’s brother?) but didn’t see that on your list.

By: luuke

luuke — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:02:58 +0000

Well, you’re right!

By: The Expatriate

The Expatriate — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:56:10 +0000

Great! Thanks for clearing that up!

By: The Expatriate

The Expatriate — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:53:35 +0000

You are correct that 繼父 and 繼母 are used for step-father and step-mother, respectively. However, these are more like titles than what people would use. A Taiwanese person speaking to their step father would not call them 繼父; instead, they would just call them 爸爸.