Section 01
Vocabulary
的
Possessive particle
爸爸
Dad
妈妈
Mom
哥哥
Older brother
姐姐
Older sister
弟弟
Younger brother
妹妹
Younger sister
兄弟姐妹
Siblings
家
Family / Home
这是
This is
那是
That is
有
To have / There is
几
How many
个
Measure word
两
Two (for counting)
谁
Who / Whom
New question word: The word 谁 (shéi) means "who." In Chinese, question words don't move to the front of the sentence like in English. They just replace the answer! Example: 他是谁？(He is who?)
Practice Time
Interactive Vocabulary Games
Interactive Game
Play Kahoot! — Family Vocabulary Review
Test your knowledge with this self-paced challenge. (Opens in a new tab)
Interactive Game
Play Quizizz! — Family Vocabulary Review
Test your knowledge with this self-paced challenge. (Opens in a new tab)
Section 02
Grammar Points
1. Possession with 的 (de)
To show possession, place 的 after a pronoun. For example, "我" (I) becomes "我的" (my).
Pronoun + 的 + Noun
1.
这是我的爸爸。
Zhè shì wǒ de bàba.
This is my dad.
2. Introducing People (这是 / 那是)
Use 这 (this) for people close to you, and 那 (that) for people further away. Combine them with 是 to introduce family members.
这 / 那 + 是 + Person
1.
那是我的哥哥。
Nà shì wǒ de gēge.
That is my older brother.
3. The Verb 有 (yǒu) — "To Have"
Unlike other verbs negated with 不, 有 is always negated with 没 (méi).
Subject + 有 / 没有 + Object
1.
我没有弟弟。
Wǒ méi yǒu dìdi.
I do not have a younger brother.
4. Asking "How Many" (几 + 个)
When counting people, you must use the measure word 个 (gè) between the number and the noun. If the number is "2", use 两 (liǎng) instead of 二 (èr).
Subject + 有 + 几 + 个 + Noun?
1.
你家有几个人？
Nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ ge rén?
How many people are in your family?
2.
我有两个姐姐。
Wǒ yǒu liǎng ge jiějie.
I have two older sisters.
5. Asking "Who" with 谁 (shéi)
In Chinese, question words do not change the word order of the sentence. To ask "who," you simply replace the person's name with the question word 谁.
Subject + 是 + 谁？
1.
他是谁？
Tā shì shéi?
Who is he?
2.
这是谁？
Zhè shì shéi?
Who is this?
3.
那是谁？
Nà shì shéi?
Who is that?
Section 03
Reading Practice
我的家 Presentational
我的家
My Family (Monologue)
Beginner
你好！我叫李明。这是我的家。我家有五个人：爸爸、妈妈、哥哥、妹妹和我。我没有弟弟。那是我的哥哥，他是学生。
Hello! My name is Li Ming. This is my family. There are five people in my family: dad, mom, older brother, younger sister, and me. I do not have a younger brother. That is my older brother, he is a student.
你家有几个人？ Conversational
你家有几个人？
How Many People in Your Family?
Beginner
A
王芳，你家有几个人？
Wáng Fāng, nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ ge rén?
Wang Fang, how many people are in your family?
B
我家有三个人：爸爸、妈妈和我。你呢？
Wǒ jiā yǒu sān ge rén: bàba, māma hé wǒ. Nǐ ne?
My family has three people: dad, mom, and me. What about you?
A
我家有四个人：爸爸、妈妈、姐姐和我。
Wǒ jiā yǒu sì ge rén: bàba, māma, jiějie hé wǒ.
My family has four people: dad, mom, older sister, and me.
B
那是谁？
Nà shì shéi?
Who is that? (Pointing at a picture)
A
那是我的姐姐。
Nà shì wǒ de jiějie.
That is my older sister.
B
你有哥哥吗？
Nǐ yǒu gēge ma?
Do you have an older brother?
A
我没有哥哥。
Wǒ méi yǒu gēge.
I do not have an older brother.
Ready to test yourself?
Practice Reading — Comprehension Quiz
Answer multiple-choice questions on both passages · Instant feedback & explanations
Section 04
Listening Practice
Listen to the audio, then click the words in the correct order to build the sentence.
是
谁
他
人
家
有
你
几
个
Ready to test yourself?
Practice Listening — Interactive Mode
Full listening player · Comprehension questions after each track · Instant feedback
Cultural Note
The Chinese Extended Family
In Chinese culture, family titles are highly specific. Instead of just "brother," you must specify if they are older (哥哥) or younger (弟弟). Even for grandparents, there are entirely different words for your mother's parents (外公 / 外婆) versus your father's parents (爷爷 / 奶奶). This reflects the historical importance of clear family hierarchy!