Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== qìngjia: 亲家 - Parents-in-law (of one's child); Co-in-laws ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** qingjia, 亲家, Chinese in-laws, co-in-laws meaning, parents of son-in-law, parents of daughter-in-law, Chinese family relationships, what is qingjia, how to say in-laws in Chinese, family culture in China. * **Summary:** In Chinese culture, the term **亲家 (qìngjia)** refers to the specific relationship between the two sets of parents of a married couple. It's a concept often translated as "co-in-laws" and signifies the formal bond created between two families through their children's marriage. Understanding **qìngjia** is essential for grasping the importance of family networks and inter-family dynamics in China, a relationship for which there is no single-word equivalent in English. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** qìngjia * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** N/A (Considered an advanced or cultural vocabulary item) * **Concise Definition:** The term used by one set of parents to refer to their child's spouse's parents. * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine two people, Li Wei and Zhang Lin, get married. Li Wei's parents and Zhang Lin's parents now have a special relationship with each other. They are **亲家 (qìngjia)**. This isn't just a label; it signifies a new, formal connection between two distinct families, united by the marriage. They are now family allies, expected to support each other and, most importantly, the new couple and their future grandchildren. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **亲 (qìng):** In most contexts, this character is pronounced `qīn` and means "parent," "relative," or "intimate/close." However, in the specific word `亲家`, it takes on the rare pronunciation `qìng`. This change signifies a formal, established relationship through marriage, distinct from blood relations. * **家 (jiā):** This character means "family," "home," or "household." * The characters combine to literally mean something like "marriage-related families." The term beautifully captures the idea that a marriage formally links two separate **家 (jiā)**, creating a new and important **亲 (qìng)** relationship between them. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * In traditional and even modern Chinese culture, marriage is often seen as a union of two families, not just two individuals. The **亲家 (qìngjia)** relationship is the formal embodiment of this principle. It establishes a new, wider family network built on mutual respect and shared interests—primarily the success and happiness of the married couple and the continuation of the family line through grandchildren. * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In many Western cultures, the relationship between a couple's parents can be anything from very close to non-existent. There is no specific, universally used term like **亲家 (qìngjia)**. The English language's lack of a single word for "my child's spouse's parents" highlights a cultural difference. While English speakers might say "my son's in-laws" or "our children's parents-in-law," the term **亲家 (qìngjia)** carries a deeper sense of formal connection, social obligation, and a shared destiny. * This concept is tied to the value of collectivism, where the family unit is paramount. A good **亲家** relationship brings honor and stability, while a poor one can cause stress for the entire extended family. Maintaining harmony between the **亲家** is a significant social goal. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * The term **亲家 (qìngjia)** is used both as a form of address and as a reference. The two sets of parents become central figures during wedding planning, major holidays (like Spring Festival), and especially after the birth of a grandchild. * **Forms of Address:** * When speaking directly to the father of your child's spouse, you would call him **亲家公 (qìngjiagōng)**. * When speaking directly to the mother of your child's spouse, you would call her **亲家母 (qìngjiamǔ)**. * When speaking about them together, or referring to the family as a whole, you use **亲家 (qìngjia)**. * **Social Interactions:** The relationship involves regular communication, gift-giving on holidays, and mutual support. For example, the two sets of parents will often collaborate closely on planning the wedding or celebrating their grandchild's "full moon" (one-month) party. The relationship is generally formal and respectful, especially at the beginning. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 周末我的**亲家**要从上海过来看我们。 * Pinyin: Zhōumò wǒ de **qìngjia** yào cóng Shànghǎi guòlai kàn wǒmen. * English: My son's/daughter's in-laws are coming from Shanghai to see us this weekend. * Analysis: This is a common way to refer to the other set of parents when talking to a third party. * **Example 2:** * 孩子们结婚后，我们两家就成了**亲家**。 * Pinyin: Háizi men jiéhūn hòu, wǒmen liǎng jiā jiù chéngle **qìngjia**. * English: After our children got married, our two families became **qìngjia** (formally related by marriage). * Analysis: This sentence clearly explains how the **亲家** relationship is formed. * **Example 3:** * **亲家**母，您做的这个鱼太好吃了！ * Pinyin: **Qìngjia**mǔ, nín zuò de zhège yú tài hǎochī le! * English: My dear co-mother-in-law, this fish you made is delicious! * Analysis: This shows the direct form of address, **亲家母 (qìngjiamǔ)**, used politely and warmly. Note the respectful pronoun `您 (nín)`. * **Example 4:** * 我得跟我的**亲家**商量一下孙子的百日宴怎么办。 * Pinyin: Wǒ děi gēn wǒ de **qìngjia** shāngliang yīxià sūnzi de bǎirìyàn zěnme bàn. * English: I need to discuss with my grandchild's other grandparents how we should organize his 100-day celebration. * Analysis: This highlights the collaborative nature of the **亲家** relationship, especially concerning grandchildren. * **Example 5:** * 他们两家是世交，现在又成了**亲家**，真是亲上加亲。 * Pinyin: Tāmen liǎng jiā shì shìjiāo, xiànzài yòu chéngle **qìngjia**, zhēn shì qīn shàng jiā qīn. * English: Their two families have been friends for generations, and now they've become **qìngjia**; it's truly adding closeness upon closeness. * Analysis: This uses a common idiom `亲上加亲 (qīn shàng jiā qīn)` to describe a situation where an already close relationship is strengthened by marriage. * **Example 6:** * 第一次见**亲家**，我应该带什么礼物？ * Pinyin: Dì yī cì jiàn **qìngjia**, wǒ yīnggāi dài shénme lǐwù? * English: What gift should I bring for the first time meeting my future child's parents-in-law? * Analysis: A very practical question showing the importance of making a good first impression in this formal relationship. * **Example 7:** * 王先生，好久不见！这位是我的**亲家**公。 * Pinyin: Wáng xiānsheng, hǎojiǔ bújiàn! Zhè wèi shì wǒ de **qìngjiagōng**. * English: Mr. Wang, long time no see! This is my son's/daughter's father-in-law. * Analysis: Demonstrates how to introduce one's **亲家公 (qìngjiagōng)** in a social setting. * **Example 8:** * 咱们现在是**亲家**了，以后要多走动走动。 * Pinyin: Zánmen xiànzài shì **qìngjia** le, yǐhòu yào duō zǒudòng zǒudòng. * English: We are **qìngjia** now, we should visit each other more often in the future. * Analysis: A common phrase used to affirm the new relationship and express a desire for future closeness. `走动 (zǒudòng)` here means "to visit" or "to interact." * **Example 9:** * 选个好**亲家**比给孩子找个好对象还重要。 * Pinyin: Xuǎn ge hǎo **qìngjia** bǐ gěi háizi zhǎo ge hǎo duìxiàng hái zhòngyào. * English: Choosing a good family-in-law is even more important than finding a good partner for your child. * Analysis: A somewhat traditional or hyperbolic statement that underscores the cultural weight placed on the inter-family relationship. * **Example 10:** * 虽然我的**亲家**住在另一个城市，但我们经常视频聊天。 * Pinyin: Suīrán wǒ de **qìngjia** zhù zài lìngyīgè chéngshì, dàn wǒmen jīngcháng shìpín liáotiān. * English: Although my co-in-laws live in another city, we often video chat. * Analysis: This shows how the **亲家** relationship is maintained in modern times, even across distances. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Pronunciation is Key:** The most common mistake for learners is pronouncing it `qīnjiā`. The correct and only pronunciation for this specific term is **qìngjia**. Using `qīnjiā` will sound incorrect and confusing to native speakers. * **It's Not a General "In-Law":** A crucial mistake is to use **亲家** to refer to any in-law. It //only// describes the relationship between the two sets of parents. * **Incorrect:** My son-in-law is my **亲家**. (他是我亲家。) * **Correct:** My son-in-law is my `女婿 (nǚxu)`. (他是我女婿。) * **Correct:** My son-in-law's parents are my **亲家**. (我女婿的父母是我的亲家。) * **False Friend: "In-laws"**: In English, "in-laws" is a broad term. A woman can say, "I'm visiting my in-laws," referring to her husband's parents. However, she would //never// call her own parents her "in-laws." Similarly, in Chinese, the two sets of parents are **亲家** //to each other//, but not to their own children. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * * [[亲家公]] (qìngjiagōng) - The specific term for the father of one's child's spouse. * * [[亲家母]] (qìngjiamǔ) - The specific term for the mother of one's child's spouse. * * [[姻亲]] (yīnqīn) - A formal, literary term for all relatives by marriage (in-laws). **亲家** is a specific type of **姻亲**. * * [[女婿]] (nǚxu) - Son-in-law. * * [[儿媳]] (érxí) - Daughter-in-law. * * [[亲戚]] (qīnqi) - A general term for all relatives, both by blood and by marriage. * * [[婆家]] (pójiā) - The husband's family home/family. * * [[娘家]] (niángjiā) - The wife's natal family home/family. * * [[婚礼]] (hūnlǐ) - Wedding; the ceremony that officially creates the **亲家** relationship. * * [[家庭]] (jiātíng) - Family; household. The fundamental unit that is joined through the **亲家** connection.