Chapter 1: Foreword
Chapter Text
FOREWORD
Welcome to my observations about Chinese fantasy stories.
I invite you to first look at the overview of this series to see if you need to read another guide before starting this one.
Then I suggest you look at the index of this work to confirm whether you want to read the whole thing or go straight to certain chapters.
What you will see here are my experiences and research. I'm not telling you how to write a work; I'm just gathering information that I think is relevant and sharing it because I don't see why I should keep it to myself. Sometimes I give you an opinion, but no more.
Of course, I do have not the ultimate truth, there are probably mistakes. Yes, I am human and by dint of rereading again and again in search of clues, I don't see anything more. Don't hesitate to correct me.
Surprisingly, I'm not a big reader of fanfiction and my writing is worthless. I am not a guarantee of quality. So, take my words with caution.
I will talk about Chinese culture and therefore use a lot of Chinese terms. The goal is not to always make you use the Chinese words but to have a general idea of what is done in ancient China. You don't want to weigh down your text with Chinese words at every turn.
I'm not imposing anything, I'm suggesting; you're free to do what you want.
Chapter 2: [Vocabulary] Generalities
Chapter Text
Note: I have made the definitions very short and even reductive to facilitate reading. If you want more information, I invite you to find out for yourself.
This is a non-exhaustive list, an overview, and a recapitulation to have everything in one place.
GENRE
Qíhuàn (奇幻)
Chinese term for fantasy with many Chinese influences like Taoist elements.
Xuánhuàn (玄幻)
Chinese term for fantasy which is closest to Western fantasy because of the Chinese influence (magical elements and worldbuilding)
Wǔxiá (武俠) – ‘Martial Knight’
[Chinese term] Genre of fiction in which humans try to acquire supernatural fighting abilities or incredible powers through martial arts training and internal energy cultivation.
The adventures of these martial artists take place through themes of revenge, romance, and tragedy.
The main antagonists are often other humans and other martial artists.
Example n°1: Tale of a scribe who retires to the countryside, by Barking Dog.
Example n°2: Qiānqiū, by Mèng Xīshí.
Xiānxiá (仙俠) – ‘Immortal Knight’
[Chinese term] Genre of fantasy fiction and a subgenre of Wuxia in which humans try to cultivate immortality and confront monsters from Asian folklore.
The setting of wuxia is often the Chinese world (ancient or modern) as the concept of cultivation is well-established to East Asian culture.
Example n°1: Módào Zǔshī, by Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù.
Example n°2: Dòuluō Dàlù, by Táng Jiā Sān Shǎo.
The difference between wuxia and xianxia?
To challenge themselves and others = wuxia.
Aiming for immortality and facing monsters = xianxia.
No celestial beings = wuxia.
Demon, fairies, spirits, immortals = xianxia.
Mànhuà (漫畫) – ‘impromptu sketches’
Chinese comic, Chinese graphic story.
Dònghuà (動畫)
Chinese animation, Chinese animated cartoon.
Dānměi (耽美) – ‘indulging beauty’
Chinese term for Boys’ Love.
That implies the main characters are handsome young men.
Chapter 3: [Chinese & China] Overview
Chapter Text
Xìng (姓)
Surname, family name, clan name.
Example: In the novel Mó Dào Zǔ Shī, the xing of the character Lán Zhàn (蓝湛) is Lán (蓝).
Note: It is often composed of one character.
Míng (名)
Name, birth name, given name.
Example: In the novel Mó Dào Zǔ Shī, the ming of the character Lán Zhàn (蓝湛) is Zhàn (湛).
Note n°1: Used by elders, seniors, and close persons.
Note n°2: It is often composed of one character.
Zì (字)
Courtesy name.
Example: In the novel Mó Dào Zǔ Shī, the zi of the character Lán Zhàn (蓝湛) is Wàngjī (忘机).
Note n°1: Used by peers and kins.
Note n°2: It is often composed of two characters.
Note n°3: It seems that this trend is more for men than for women. It is likely that to compensate for this, some women of high nobility have a two-character given name (名 - míng) to give the illusion of a courtesy name.
Zìbèi (字輩)
Generation name.
Example: In the novel Mó Dào Zǔ Shī, the zibei of the character Jīn Guāngyáo (金光瑶) is Guāng (光), which is associated with his ming Yáo (瑶).
Note n°1: It is often composed of one character.
Note n°2: If used, it is often associated with the given name (名 - míng).
Note n°3: This trend is practiced for both men and women.
Hào (号)
Title, assumed name, art name.
Example: In the novel Mó Dào Zǔ Shī, the hao of the character Lán Zhàn (蓝湛) is Hánguāng-jūn (含光君).
Note: Used by other people and strangers.
→ Notice n°1: When it comes to calling someone by a name, the Chinese don't really like to use one character. If a person has a single character first name, then to address them, one would use the first name with the last name to get a two-character set. Or use the first name with a prefix, suffix or double the first name in order to not have a single-featured character.
Example: Wēn Mǎo (温卯) from the novel Mó Dào Zǔ Shī. It will be odd to address him as 'Mǎo (卯)'. It is better with 'Wēn Mǎo (温卯)', 'Ā-Mǎo (阿卯)', 'Mǎo-ér (卯兒)' or 'Mǎo-xiōng (卯兄)', 'Mǎomǎo (卯卯)', etc.
→ Notice n°2: When the surname (姓 - xìng) and name (given name, courtesy name or generation name) or a honorific/suffic are used together, the surname is always in front, never behind.
When all Chinese terms are translated, the expression is transcribed into English and the surname is used without the name but with a complement, it is placed after it, in second place.
If in the West, one can afford to call someone by their surname alone, this is not practiced in China.
Example n°1: We will say Lán Zhàn (蓝湛), Lán Wàngjī (蓝忘机) or Lán-èr-shīxiōng (蓝二師兄) but never Zhàn Lán (湛蓝), Wàngjī Lán (忘机蓝), Lán (蓝), etc.
Example n°2: We will say 'Second elder martial brother Lan', 'Diplomat Lan', or 'Second master Lan'.
→ Notice n°3: Once married, the woman does not take the family name of her husband. She keeps her birth family name. Her husband's surname is used in her honorary title only.
Example: When Qín Sù (秦愫) marries Jīn Guāngyáo (金光瑶), she does not become Jīn Sù (金愫) but she is called Jīn-fūrén (金夫人), which means 'Madam Jin'.
→ Notice n°4: This may sound complicated but, it applies to many of our societies: some people may call you by your first name and others will just draw the line. Courtesy names can be a variety of Sir, Mister, Miss, or Madam. Titles are the equivalent of Boss, President.
There are similar rules of respect in modern times and other parts of the world. Don't be scared off by the list of honorifics.
The interlude you didn't ask for:
I come from France and respect is taught to a strict minimum. We're not going to hide it, many countries that are much better than us in this area; we're a long way from bows, from great tokens of respect unless we're in a very specific situation where decorum is a survival way.
Apart from very powerful people, the term Monsieur or Madame is used to address a stranger, our teacher, a salesman or our boss, etc.
Let me give you some examples from my own life.
Following a recommendation in a Matignon circular in February 2012, the term Mademoiselle (Miss) disappeared to promote gender equality. As a result, the term mademoiselle is no longer really used in administrative papers and is also less used in everyday language.
So, people address me as Madame (Madam). And God, I hate it. I love the term mademoiselle. Now I feel like I'm getting so many years older when people talk to me. It's so laughable to call me madame. I almost cry.
And yet, these people are respectful towards me.
Another example.
It was the day of the class photo. We were all lined up, waiting to be called. Then it was my turn. And at that moment, the photographer, for some reason, called me out with a nickname.
I was embarrassed and completely taken aback at being called that. And I was not the only one. One of my classmates (I only knew him from being in my class) said something like that "But who the hell are you to use her nickname?"
Even in a society where respect is at a minimum bar and prefers to encourage a friendly approach, even though the photographer was in my age range and we were in a relaxed atmosphere (no class time / class photo situation), he had really overstepped to the point where a classmate I rarely spoke to (an acquaintance at this point) became indignant.
I will give one last illustration. Even though the following examples are both diminutives of first names, they do not have the same value.
Alexandre → Alex | Juliette → Juju
Juju is extremely personal whereas Alex is more common (because it is also a name).
The limit of respect differs from time to time, place to place, register of language and person to person. Some will accept familiarity and others will draw the line. You must adapt. You must accept making mistakes. Being respectful is much more than the correct use of polite language.
Qiánbèi (前輩)
Senior, senior young man, member of one’s older generation or higher rank, the elder generation.
Wǎnbèi (晚辈)
Junior, junior young man, member of one’s younger generation or lower rank, the younger generation.
Gōngzǐ (公子)
Young man, young master, young gentleman, mister.
Gūniáng (姑娘)
[Formal] Young lady, maiden.
Shàoyé (少爺) – ‘Young gentleman’
Young master of a house.
Qiānjīn (千金)
Young lady, young mistress, miss.
Xiǎojiě (小姐)
Young lady, miss.
Pàngzǐ (胖子) – ‘Plump thing’
[Term preceding the surname] Fatty.
Example: In the manhua Grandmaster of demonic cultivation, the character Mò Ziyuān (莫子渊) could be called Pàngzǐ Mò (胖子莫), which can be translated as Fatty Mo.
Reminder: Fatness was a simple indication of prosperity. Treating someone as fat meant that they were wealthy (good health and good fortune).
Xiǎo (小) – means ‘small → young’
[Term preceding the name] Little.
Example: In the novel Heaven Official’s Blessing, the character Péi Xiù (裴宿) is called Xiǎo Péi (小裴), which can be translated as Little Pei (or Pei Junior).
Ér (兒) – ‘Child’
[Suffix to the birth name or the last character of someone’s courtesy name]
Ā (阿) → Ah
[Prefix to the surname or last character of someone’s courtesy name]
Jūn (君)
[Suffix to someone’s title] Lord, nobleman.
Zūn (尊)
[Suffix to someone’s title] Revered one, esteemed one.
Fēnghuà (風化)
Decency, morals, and manners.
Jiānghú (江湖) - 'Rivers and Lakes'
It is a term that refers to the country. Most of the time, the country of ancient China, or the world inspired by ancient China, is called this way.
Example: Your coming has been heard by the Jianghu → The whole country knows that you are here | The Jianghu is not unaware of your misdeeds → Everyone knows about the crimes you have committed.
Note: If the story is set in ancient China, it is also possible to use the following terms: Middle Kingdom, Heavenly Dynasty or Great *insert name of the family ruling or name of the dynasty*
Zhōngyuán (中原) - 'Central plains'
It is a term that refers to the cradle of Chinese civilization and also the center of the world by ancient Chinese. In fiction, it means the regions directly governed by Chinese governments and dynasties.
Shù (術)
Art, craft, skill, technique, method.
Móshù (魔術)
Demonic arts.
Generic term for magic, illusionism.
Dàoshù (道術)
Taoist arts.
Wūshù (巫術)
Shamanism, traditionnal local magic, deal with dead spirits.
Sorcery, witchcraft.
Fǎshù (法術)
Generic term for magic.
Buddhist arts.
Fāngshù (方術)
Taoism arts, ancient magic and technical skill.
Arts of healing, divination, horoscope, alchimy, supernatural arts.
Xiānshù (仙術)
Taoist arts, magic of an immortal.
Fairy magic.
SOME OBSERVATIONS, SOME RULES
Writing your name in red is very bad
The colour red is synonymous with good luck (Chinese New Year & wedding) except in this case.
Historically, the Chinese people did not write their names or those of others with the colour red because writing a name in red ink was reserved for high-ranking officers who sentenced prisoners to death (at the beginning, a death row criminal’s name was written with chicken blood on their tombstones | in mythology, the King Yama marked people condemned to hell with a red circle).
As in the world of teaching, the teacher corrects student errors with the colour red.
Red in writing is a warning.
For the Chinese people, if someone writes your name in red, it means he wants you dead. Especially if the person holding the red pen is a person of authority.
For some more traditional people, writing in pink is the same as writing in red.
Writing in red (or red-like colour) is a serious taboo in Chinese culture. So your characters in your stories should not write their names or the names of others in red. Unless that's the point. If this is the case, it can be very intense as well as very funny!
Example: I was Transmigrated as a Sword
« Shen Yuan soon discovered that the so-called victims list was an actual physical list of disciples who were slated to fight. It was posted on the outside of their Shizun’s house at the beginning of every week. It was an ominous looking list written in red ink and forceful calligraphy. It honestly looked like someone's cryptic dying message or a list of murder victims penned by a maniac. The ink dripped in places staining the pristine paper with red spots, creating an effect similar to that of dripping blood. The very first time he saw the list, Shen Yuan could just feel the cursed vibes practically oozing off the paper.
Shen Yuan thought that this was all a little bit dramatic. He jokingly asked Han Rei and Chu Yun if the list was written with the blood of Liu Qingge’s fallen disciples. Chu Yun laughed nervously and stared far off into the distance while Han Rei gave Shen Yuan an extremely blank and penetrating stare.
This made Shen Yuan feel rather optimistic about his spar with Liu Qingge. »
~ Chapter 27: The Development Of Masochistic Tendencies
Chopstick vertically in the rice
Chinese people don't put their chopsticks vertically in their bowl of rice, at the table. This action is very similar to incense for the dead: two sticks straight up into a bowl of sand, placed on an altar. As for the red ink, this gesture means that you want the person dead.
If you use this action in your story, to signify a willingness to see a person die, no one other than the killer (or the victim at the last moment) must see it. Otherwise, they will become indignant because it is a taboo.
Tap on the bowl with chopsticks
For the Chinese people, using the chopsticks in order to tap on the bowl is an insult because only beggars and customers in a restaurant where food is slow in coming make this gesture.
Chapter 4: [Vocabulary] Title & Honorific - Related Family (long version)
Summary:
This chapter contains the Chinese terms about family.
Chapter Text
Warning: This chapter includes practically all the terms relating to the family. I advise you to review the family links and the genealogical tree before starting this page. If you only want the main terms, skip to the next chapter for the short version.
OVERVIEW
Many terms of address used for family members can also be used for friends, neighbours, and strangers. This system is also found in Japan and South Korea.
There is this equivalent (quite different though) in English when someone calls a friend is 'bro’; the two people are not related by blood but by the feeling of closeness (complicity and affection).
Some people are like fathers to others because they convey a stronger idea of authority, love, and familiarity than the progenitors in question.
To summarize, when people use a family term to refer to their relationship, these people may be related by blood but also by friendship, education or by the sensation referring to that figure which is attributed to a family member (like someone with whom you are close like a friendly aunt, someone warm like a mother's embrace, someone sweet like a grandfather's desserts).
COMPOUND, CHARACTER
Fù (父)
[Used for everything related to the father]
Bó (伯)
Father's elder brother, elder paternal uncle, paternal uncle, uncle.
[Honorific for an older man] Uncle, senior.
Shū (叔)
Father's younger brother, younger paternal uncle, paternal uncle, uncle.
Husband's younger brother, brother-in-law, brother.
[Honorific for a man slightly younger of one's father] Uncle.
GENERALITIES
Jiā (家)
Family
Jiāzú (家族)
Family, clan
Jiāzú shù (家族樹)
[Litteral english translation] Family tree
Pǔxì tú (谱系图) | Xìpǔ tú (系谱图)
Pedigree chart
➤ Shìxì tú (世系图)
Lineage diagram
➤ Zúpǔ tú (族谱图)
Genealogy chart
➤ Jiāxì tú (家系圖)
Family diagram
Xìpǔ xué (系譜學)
Genealogy
Jìqīn (繼親)
Stepfamily
Xuèqìng (血親)
Kin, blood relation, blood relative
Zhíxì xuèqìng (直系血親)
Direct descendant, blood relative
Zhíxì qīnshǔ (直系親屬)
Next of kin, near kin, immediate family, immediate dependant
Yìfù (異父)
With different father
Yìmǔ (異母)
With different mother
Tóngmǔ (同母)
With same mother
Tóngfù (同父)
With same father
FULL LIST - PARENT
【PARENT by blood】
Fùqīn (父親) → Fù
[Formal] Father
➤ Bàbà (爸爸)
Dad, daddy
➤ Diē (爹) → Ā-diē
[Colloquial] Father, dad → daddy
Mǔqīn (母親) → Mǔ
[Formal] Mother
➤ Māmā (妈妈) → Mā
Mom, mommy
➤ Niáng (娘) → Ā-niáng
[Colloquial] Mother, mom → mommy
【PARENT by union】
Yǎngfù (養父)
Foster father, adoptive father
Yǎngmǔ (養母)
Foster mother, adoptive mother
Jìfù (繼父)
Stepfather
➤ Hòufù (後父)
Stepfather
Jìmǔ (繼母)
Stepmother
➤ Hòumǔ (後母)
Stepmother
➤ Hòuniáng (後娘)
[Colloquial] Stepmother
➤ Hòumā (後媽)
[Colloquial] Stepmother
FULL LIST - SPOUSE & PARTNER
Lǎogōng (老公)
[Colloquial] Husband
Elderly person
➤ Lǎotóu (老頭)
[Collaquial] Husband
➤ Zhàngfū (丈夫)
Husband
➤ Fūjūn (夫君)
[Honorific] Husband
➤ Xiānshēng (先生)
Husband
Mister, sir, gentleman, teacher, doctor
Lǎopó (老婆)
[Colloquial] Wife
➤ Qīzǐ (妻子)
[Formal] Wife
Fūrén (夫人) - 'Man['s] person'
[Formal | Suffix to someone’s surname] Madam, wife
Example: In the Grandmaster of demonic cultivation, the mother of Jīn Zixuān is called Jīn-fūrén (金夫人) which can be translated as "Madam Jin". The most literal translation would be "Mister Jin's Person".
Note: Refers to a lady of high rank, a woman of a feudal lord or of a gentry.
Tàitài (太太)
[Honorific] Mrs / Mistress
[Formal] Wife
Madam
FULL LIST - GRANDPARENT
Zǔfù (祖父)
[Formal] Father's father, paternal grandfather, grandfather
➤ Yéyé (爺爺)
[Collaquial] Father's father, paternal grandfather, grandfather, grandpa
Zǔmǔ (祖母)
[Formal] Father's mother, paternal grandmother, grandmother
➤ Naǐnaǐ (奶奶)
[Collaquial] Father's mother, paternal grandmother, grandmother, grandma
➤ Wángmǔ (王母)
[Sophisticated] Paternal grandmother
Wàizǔfù (外祖父)
Mother's father, maternal grandfather, grandfather
➤ Wàigōng (外公)
[Collaquial] Mother's father, maternal grandfather, grandfather, grandpa
Wàizǔmǔ (外祖母)
Mother’s mother, maternal grandmother, grandmother
➤ Waìpó (外婆)
[Colloquial] Mother’s mother, maternal grandmother, grandmother, grandma
➤ Pópó (婆婆)
[Colloquial] Mother’s mother, maternal grandmother, grandmother, grandma
[Honorific for an elderly woman] Grandma
FULL LIST - CHILD & OFFSPRING
【GENERALITIES】
Yìn (胤)
Progeny, descendant, heir, successor
Posterity
➤ Zǐyìn (子胤)
Offspring, child
Zǐsūn (子孫) - 'Son & grandson'
Descendants, offsprings
Jìzǐnǚ (繼子女)
Adopted children, stepchildren
【CHILD by blood】
Értóng (兒童)
[Formal] Child
➤ Háizǐ (孩子)
Child, kid
Érzǐ (兒子)
Son.
Nǚ'ér (女兒)
Daughter
【CHILD by union】
Jìzǐ (繼子)
Adopted son, stepson
Jìnǚ (繼女)
Adopted daughter, stepdaughter
FULL LIST - SIBLING
【SIBLING by birth】
Bāoxiōngdì (胞兄弟)
Brothers born of the same parents, full-brothers, brothers.
Bāozǐmèi (胞姊妹)
Sisters born of the same parents, full-sisters, sisters.
Tóngfù yìmǔ (同父異母)
Siblings born of the same father but a different mother, paternal half-siblings, half-siblings
Tóngmǔ yìfù (同母異父)
Siblings born of the same mother but a different father, maternal half-siblings, half-siblings
Yìmǔ xiōngdì (異母兄弟)
Brothers born of different mothers
Xiōngdì (兄弟)
Elder brother and young brother, brothers.
[Honorific for male comrades and close friends] Brother, bro.
Jiěmèi (姐妹)
Elder sister and young sister, sisters.
Xiōngmèi (兄妹)
Elder brother and young sister, siblings.
Bāoxiōng (胞兄)
Elder brother born of the same parents, elder full-brother, elder brother, brother.
Zhǎngxiōng (長兄) → xiōng
[Formal] Eldest brother.
➤ Xiōngzhǎng (兄長)
[Formal] Older brother.
➤ Dàgē (大哥)
Eldest brother, big brother.
[Honorific for a criminal leader] Big bro, boss.
Gēgē (哥哥) → gē
Elder brother.
➤ Èr-gēgē (二哥哥)
Second eldest brother, second brother.
Dìdì (弟弟) → dì
Young brother, little brother.
Dàjiě (大姐)
Eldest sister.
[Honorific for a woman slightly older than the speaker but not to the point to be an "aunt"] Big sister, big sis.
Jiějiě (姐姐) → jiě
Elder sister, big sister.
Mèimèi (妹妹) → mèi
Young sister, little sister
【SIBLING by union】
Jìxiōng (繼兄)
Older stepbrother
Jìdì (繼弟)
Younger stepbrother
Jìjiě (繼姐)
Older stepsister
Jìmèi (繼妹)
Younger stepsister
FULL LIST - GRANDCHILD
Sūnzi (孫子)
Son's son, patrilineal grandson, grandson
FULL LIST - PIBLING / AUNCLE
【FATHER'S MALE SIDE】
Bóbó (伯伯)
Father's elder brother, paternal uncle, uncle.
➤ Bófù (伯父)
[Formal] Father's elder brother, paternal uncle, uncle.
[Honorific for an older man] Uncle.
Shūshū (叔叔) → Shū
Father's younger brother, paternal uncle, uncle.
[Honorific for a man slightly older than the speaker] Uncle
➤ Dàshū (大叔)
Father's eldest younger brother, younger paternal uncle, paternal uncle, uncle
➤ Xiǎoshū (小叔)
Father's youngest brother, youngest paternal uncle, paternal uncle, uncle
Husband's younger brother, younger brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother
➤ Shūfù (叔父)
[Formal] Father's younger brother, paternal uncle, uncle
【FATHER'S FEMALE SIDE】
Gūgū (姑姑) → Gū
Father’s sister, paternal aunt, aunt
➤ Gūmǔ (姑母)
[Formal] Father’s sister, paternal aunt, aunt.
➤ Gūmā (姑媽)
[Colloquial] Father’s married sister, married paternal aunt, married aunt
【MOTHER'S MALE SIDE】
Jiùjiù (舅舅) → Jiù
[Informal] Mother's brother, maternal uncle, uncle
【MOTHER'S FEMALE SIDE】
Yímǔ (姨母)
[Formal] Mother’s sister, maternal aunt, aunt.
➤ Āyí (阿姨)
[Informal] Mother’s sister, maternal aunt, aunt.
[Honorific for a woman slightly older than the speaker] Aunt, auntie.
➤ Dàyí (大姨)
Mother's eldest sister, oldest maternal aunt, maternal aunt, aunt.
Wife's elder sister, elder sister-in-law, sister-in-law, sister.
➤ Xiǎoyí (小姨)
Mother's youngest sister, youngest maternal aunt, maternal aunt, aunt.
Wife's younger sister, younger sister-in-law, sister-in-law, sister.
➤ Yímā (姨媽)
[Colloquial] Mother’s sister, maternal aunt, aunt.
FULL LIST - NIBLING/ NIEFLING
...
FULL LIST - COUSIN
【GROUP TERMS】
Tángxiōngdì (堂兄弟)
Sons of father’s brother, sons of paternal uncle, paternal male cousins, male cousins via male line, male cousins, cousins.
Tángjiěmèi (堂姐妹)
Daughters of father's brother, daughters of paternal uncle, paternal female cousins, female cousins via male line, female cousins, cousins.
Biǎoxiōngdì (表兄弟)
Sons of father’s sister, sons of paternal aunt, male cousins via female line, male matrilineal cousins, male cousins, cousins.
Sons of mother's sibling, sons of maternal uncle or maternal aunt, male cousins via female line, male matrilineal cousins, male cousins, cousins.
Biǎojiěmèi (表姐妹)
Daughters of father’s sister, daughters of paternal aunt, female cousins via female line, female matrilineal cousins, female cousins, cousins.
Daughters of mother's sibling, sons of maternal uncle or maternal aunt, female cousins via female line, female matrilineal cousins, female cousins, cousins.
【PATRILINEAL COUSIN】
Tángxiōng (堂兄)
[Formal] Son of father’s brother, son of paternal uncle, older male cousin via male line, older male patrilineal cousin, older male cousin, cousin.
➤ Tánggē (堂哥)
Son of father’s brother, son of paternal uncle, older male cousin via male line, older male patrilineal cousin, older male cousin, cousin.
Tāngdì (堂弟)
Son of father’s brother, son of paternal uncle, younger male cousin via male line, younger male patrilineal cousin, paternal cousin, younger male cousin, cousin.
Tángjiě (堂姐)
Daughter of father's brother, daughter of paternal uncle, older female cousin via male line, older female patrilineal cousin, older female cousin, cousin.
Tángmèi (堂妹)
Daughter of father's brother, daughter of paternal uncle, younger female cousin via male line, younger female patrilineal cousin, younger female cousin, cousin.
【MATRILINEAL COUSIN】
Biǎoxiōng (表兄)
[Formal] Son of father’s sister, son of paternal aunt, older male cousin via female line, older male matrilineal cousin, older male cousin, cousin.
[Formal] Son of mother’s sibling, son of maternal uncle or maternal aunt, older male cousin via female line, older male matrilineal cousin, older male cousin, cousin.
➤ Biǎogē (表哥)
Son of father’s sister, son of paternal aunt, older male cousin via female line, older male matrilineal cousin, older male cousin, cousin.
Son of mother’s sibling, son of maternal uncle or maternal aunt, older male cousin via female line, older male matrilineal cousin, older male cousin, cousin.
Biǎodì (表弟)
Son of father’s sister, son of paternal aunt, younger male cousin via female line, younger male matrilineal cousin, younger male cousin, cousin.
Son of mother’s sibling, son of maternal uncle or maternal aunt, younger male cousin via female line, younger male matrilineal cousin, younger male cousin, cousin.
Biǎojiě (表姐)
Daughter of father’s sister, daughter of maternal aunt, older female cousin via female line, older female matrilineal cousin, older female cousin, cousin.
Daughter of mother’s sibling, daughter of maternal uncle or maternal aunt, older female cousin via female line, older female matrilineal cousin, older female cousin, cousin.
Biǎomèi (表妹)
Daughter of father’s sister, daughter of maternal aunt, younger female cousin via female line, younger female matrilineal cousin, younger female cousin, cousin.
Daughter of mother’s sibling, daughter of maternal uncle or maternal aunt, younger female cousin via female line, younger female matrilineal cousin, younger female cousin, cousin.
FULL LIST - CO-MEMBER & IN-LAW
【GROUP TERMS】
Xiōngsǎo (兄嫂)
Elder brother and his wife, elder brother and sister-in-law.
Gūsǎo (姑嫂)
Younger sister of brother and wife of brother, sisters-in-law, sisters.
Zhóuli (妯娌)
Wives of brothers, sisters-in-law, sisters.
【IN BULK】
Nǚxu (女婿)
[by the wife's family] Husband of daughter, son-in-law
Érxí (兒媳)
Daughter-in-law
➤ Xífù (媳婦)
Daughter-in-law
Nèixiōng (內兄)
Older brother of wife, older brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother.
➤ Fùxiōng (婦兄)
Older brother of wife, older brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother.
Yīnsǎo (姻嫂)
Wife of elder brother, sister-in-law, sister.
➤ Dàsǎo (大嫂)
Wife of elder brother, sister-in-law, sister.
➤ Sǎosǎo (嫂嫂)
[Collaquial] Wife of elder brother, sister-in-law, sister.
➤ Sǎozi (嫂子)
[Collaquial] Wife of elder brother, sister-in-law, sister.
Dìxí (弟媳)
Wife of younger brother, sister-in-law, sister.
Yíjiě (姨姐)
Wife of elder sister, elder sister-in-law, sister-in-law, sister.
➤ Dàyízi (大姨子)
Wife of oldest sister, eldest sister-in-law, sister-in-law, sister.
Jiùsǎo (舅嫂)
Wife of brother’s wife, co-sister-in-law, sister-in-law, sister.
Xífù (媳婦)
Daughter-in-law, daughter.
Gūfù (姑父)
Husband of father’s sister, husband of paternal aunt, paternal uncle-in-law, paternal uncle, uncle.
Bómǔ (伯母)
Wife of a father’s elder brother, wife of paternal elder uncle, paternal aunt-in-law, paternal aunt, aunt.
Shěnshěn (嬸嬸) → Shěn
Wife of a father’s younger brother, wife of paternal younger uncle, paternal aunt-in-law, paternal aunt, aunt.
➤ Shěnmǔ (嬸母)
[Formal] Wife of a father’s younger brother, wife of paternal younger uncle, paternal aunt-in-law, paternal aunt, aunt.
➤ Shūmǔ (叔母)
Wife of father's younger brother, wife of paternal younger uncle, paternal aunt-in-law, paternal aunt, aunt-in-law, aunt.
Yízhàng (姨丈)
[Formal] Husband of mother’s sister, husband of maternal aunt, maternal uncle-in-law, maternal uncle, uncle.
➤ Yífù (姨父)
Husband of mother’s sister, husband of maternal aunt, maternal uncle-in-law, maternal uncle, uncle.
Jiùmǔ (舅母)
[Formal] Wife of mother’s brother, wife of maternal uncle, maternal aunt-in-law, maternal aunt, aunt.
➤ Jiùmā (舅媽)
[Colloquial] Wife of mother’s brother, wife of maternal uncle, maternal aunt-in-law, maternal aunt, aunt.
Tángsǎo (堂嫂)
Wife of older paternal cousin, female cousin-in-law, cousin-in-law, cousin.
Tángdìfù (堂弟婦)
Wife of younger paternal cousin, female cousin-in-law, cousin-in-law, cousin.
Biǎosǎo (表嫂)
Wife of matrilineal cousin, female cousin-in-law, cousin-in-law, cousin.
FULL LIST - OTHERS
【SWORN FAMILY】
Bǎxiōngdì (把兄弟)
Blood brothers, sworn brothers
➤ Méngxiōngdì (盟兄弟)
Blood brothers, sworn brothers
【RELATIVE】
Shūzǔ (叔祖)
Paternal grandfather's younger brother, paternal great-uncle, great-uncle
Shūzǔmǔ (叔祖母)
Wife of paternal grandfather's younger brother, paternal great-aunt, great-aunt
Biǎoshū (表叔)
Son of grandfather's sister, son of great-aunt, first male cousin once removed, male cousin, cousin
son of grandmother's brother, son of great-uncle, first male cousin once removed, male cousin, cousin
【ENDEARMENT】
Xīngān (心肝)
Sweetheart, darling, honey
Tiánxīn (甜心)
Sweetheart, darling
Àirén (愛人)
[Popular among elder people] Spouse (husband or wife), sweetheart, lover, lovable person
Liànrén (戀人)
[Popular among young people] Sweetheart, lover
[Tarot card] The Lovers
Qíngrén (情人)
Sweetheart, lover
Bǎobèi (寶貝)
Darling, honey, sweetheart, baby, treasure
Mìngdìng zhīrén (命定之人) – "Fated person"
Soulmate
Zhīyīn (知音) - "someone who knows music well"
Intimate friend, soulmate, close friends that can completely understand each other
Note: this term is inspired from an old Chinese story. It tells the story of Bo Ya, a guqin player. No one understood his music, then he met Zhong Ziqi who was good at listening and always knew the meaning of Bo Ya's melodies. The day Zhong Ziqi died, Bo Ya broke his instrument since the only person who understood him was no more.
Chūliàn (初戀)
First love
➤ Chūliàn qíngrén (初戀情人)
First lover
Chapter 5: [Vocabulary] Title & Honorific - Related Family (short version)
Summary:
This chapter contains the vocabulary used in official works.
Chapter Text
Warning: This chapter brings together the vocabulary I have discovered in the works I have read or seen. Contrary to the the long version listed in the previous chapter where I did research and found lesser known elements, little used in fiction, this short version offers you a vision of common terms.
FULL LIST
Fùqīn (父親) → Fù
[Formal] Father
➤ Bàbà (爸爸)
Dad, daddy
➤ Diē (爹) → Ā-diē
[Colloquial] Father, dad → daddy
Mǔqīn (母親) → Mǔ
[Formal] Mother
➤ Māmā (妈妈) → Mā
Mom, mommy
➤ Niáng (娘) → Ā-niáng
[Colloquial] Mother, mom → mommy
Xiānsheng (先生)
Husband
Mister, sir, gentleman, teacher, doctor
Lǎopó (老婆)
[Colloquial] Wife
Fūrén (夫人)
[Formal | Suffix to someone’s surname] Madam, wife
Example: In the manhua Grandmaster of demonic cultivation, the character Yú Zǐyuān (虞紫鸢) is called Yú-fūrén (虞夫人) which can be translated as 'Madam Yu'.
Note: Refers to a lady of high rank, a woman of a feudal lord or of a gentry.
Yéyé (爺爺)
[Collaquial] Father's father, paternal grandfather, grandfather, grandpa
Naǐnaǐ (奶奶)
[Collaquial] Father's mother, paternal grandmother, grandmother, grandma
Pópó (婆婆)
[Colloquial] Mother’s mother, maternal grandmother, grandmother, grandma, granny
[Honorific for an elderly woman] Grandma
Értóng (兒童)
[Formal] Child
Érzǐ (兒子)
Son
Nǚ'ér (女兒)
Daughter
Xiōngzhǎng (兄長)
[Formal] Older brother.
➤ Dàgē (大哥)
Eldest brother, big brother.
[Honorific for a criminal leader] Big bro, boss.
Gēgē (哥哥) → gē
Elder brother.
➤ Èr-gēgē (二哥哥)
Second eldest brother, second brother.
Dìdì (弟弟) → dì
Young brother, little brother.
Dàjiě (大姐)
Eldest sister.
[Honorific for a woman slightly older than the speaker but not to the point to be an "aunt"] Big sister, big sis.
Jiějiě (姐姐) → jiě
Elder sister, big sister.
Mèimèi (妹妹) → mèi
Young sister, little sister.
Mèimèi (妹妹) → mèi
Young sister, little sister.
Bóbó (伯伯)
Father's elder brother, paternal uncle, uncle.
➤ Bófù (伯父)
[Formal] Father's elder brother, paternal uncle, uncle.
[Honorific for an older man] Uncle.
Shūshū (叔叔) → Shū
Father's younger brother, paternal uncle, uncle.
[Honorific for a man slightly older than the speaker] Uncle.
➤ Dàshū (大叔)
Father's eldest younger brother, younger paternal uncle, paternal uncle, uncle.
➤ Xiǎoshū (小叔)
Father's youngest brother, youngest paternal uncle, paternal uncle, uncle.
Husband's younger brother, younger brother-in-law, brother-in-law, brother.
➤ Shūfù (叔父)
[Formal] Father's younger brother, paternal uncle, uncle.
Jiùjiù (舅舅) → Jiù
[Informal] Mother's brother, maternal uncle, uncle.
Āyí (阿姨)
[Informal] Mother’s sister, maternal aunt, aunt.
[Honorific for a woman slightly older than the speaker] Aunt, auntie.
Sǎozi (嫂子)
[Collaquial] Wife of elder brother, sister-in-law, sister.
Xīngān (心肝)
Sweetheart, darling, honey.
Lǎotóu (老頭)
[Collaquial] Husband.
Chapter 6: [Vocabulary] Title & Honorific - Martial family (long version)
Summary:
This chapter contains the vocabulary I researched.
Chapter Text
Warning: Here is all the vocabulary I found through my research. If you want a version with more common terms, I recommend the following chapter.
GENERALITIES
A clan or a sect
A clan is a gathering of people whose leadership is related by blood. A family heads the clan (often named after the family) and the leader is a member of that family. The successor or heir is from the direct line of that family.
A sect is a gathering of people whose leadership is bound by talent. The one who excels (the most powerful, the most intelligent, or the wisest) is the head of the sect. His successor is the one whom the master considers worthy of succeeding him according to his own criteria.
Example n°1: In the novel Mó Dào Zǔ Shī, the story follows cultivation clans and the character Jiāng Fēngmián is a clan leader. The only exceptions among all these clans are Báixuě Temple where Sòng Lán was raised and the celestial mountain of Bàoshān Sànrén.
Example n°2: In the novel Rén zhā fǎnpài zìjiù xìtǒng, the story follows martial sects and the character Yuè Qīngyuán is a sect leader.
Note: Like the flag of a Chinese dynasty, the flag of a clan is a banner with the name as symbol. It is possible that the banner represents an animal but it is easier to produce and reproduce a character.
Respect the one who has a lesson to give
Have you ever heard of Confucius? No? Go do some research. His worldview and ideals have influenced the foundations of Chinese tradition. And among all his thoughts is the one on teaching, especially since he was a renowned teacher.
To make a large summary, the teachers are people who are extremely well respected because they are a central role in Chinese society with morals, ethics and government leading.
They are considered as important as the father of a family. And that is why the relationship between a teacher and his students/disciples is the same as a father and his children.
Source: Discourses of the States (Guóyǔ -國語)
« 民生于三，事之如一。父生之，师教之，君食之 »
« One should serve their father, their teacher, and their monarch until death. Because their father gave life to them, their teacher educated them, and their monarch provided food for them. »
My translation: « People live from three things that form one great whole; birth by the father, education by the tutor and feeding by the lord. »
~ Zuǒ Qiūmíng (左丘明).
⸺
Source: Discourses of the States (Guóyǔ -國語)
« 弟子事师, 敬同于父……一日为师, 终身为父 »
« Students should treat their teacher with the same respect as they treat their father…even if someone just teaches you for one day, you should respect him like your father all your life. »
My translation: « A disciple serves his master, respecting him as his father. A teacher for a day, a father for life. »
~ Luó Zhènyù (罗振玉).
That is why the love relationship between a teacher and a disciple is taboo because it is more than a question of age: it is a bit like incest. You do not fall in love with your father figure. In addition, in the pyramid of power and social structure, educators and scholars are very well ranked.
In short, do not touch a teacher; they are so venerated, almost worshipped as gods.
Martial family
Source: The Scum Villian's Self-Saving System - Vol. 1
« Disciples: Clan and sect members ar known as disciples. Disciples live on sect grounds and have a strict hierachy based on skill and seniority. They are divided into Core, Inner, and Outer rankings, with Core being the highest. Higher-ranked disciples get better lodging and other resources.
When formally joining a sect or clan as a disciple or a student, the sect/clan becomes like the disciple's new family: teachers are parents and peers are siblings. Because of this, a betrayal or abandonment of one's sect/clan is considered a deep transgression of Confucian values of filial piety. This is also the origin of many of the honorifics and titles used for martial arts.
Disciples are separated into inner ("inside the gate") and outer ("outside the gate") rankings, with inner disciples being higher-ranked members of the sect. »
~ Appendix: Glossary
A martial family is a group of martial artists or cultivators under the same teaching. This same teaching is often characterized by a common master.
Thus the master is the martial father. The other disciples under the same teaching are the martial brothers and sisters.
Martial teaching is what forms a martial family. If someone does not practice the teaching of the place, they cannot be considered as belonging to the martial family. If someone does not belong to the place, they cannot be considered as belonging to the martial family.
And I am speaking on the simple level. If the disciples like the housekeeper, he is considered part of the family by sentimental ties or if one of the disciples marries a woman, she is considered part of the family by marital ties but not martial ties.
To greatly simplify, if someone has not been taught by or with the master, they are not part of the martial family. And therefore, the honorific terms used for them will not be related to the vocabulary of the martial family.
Note: In the vast majority of cases, martial brothers and sisters are not related by blood. They are like classmates in the same classroom.
I develop much more the notion of martial family in another work: Chapter 11: [CQMS] Martial family, from [Guide] The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System.
Sworn family
When two people (not necessarily martial artists or cultivators) are close friends and decide that the other's family is like their family, they decide to take an oath. They then become sworn brothers and sisters and by extension, their families become related.
The pledge is made through a ceremony and/or a formal contract using a seal.
Most of the time, out of respect for promiscuity traditions, oaths were taken between men or between women, but rarely between a man and a woman.
Due to this somewhat sacred proximity, sworn pairs are often mistaken in the minds of some readers as a metaphor for same-sex couples.
I am not saying that oaths are not used for the symbolism of a couple. Some of them certainly are. Just remember that in the first place, the sworn brother is the super deluxe edition best friend. You have a best friend, then you have the sworn brother: the sacred best friend, for life, for death, for eternity and even beyond!
The oath is not just for two individuals who like each other, it is a matter of absolute fidelity and loyalty that extends to the other's family. That is why it should not be reduced to just a relationship between two persons.
The concept of family is very important, that's why there is a real veneration of the ancestors. In ancient China, when you unite two persons, you unite, above all, two families; marriage is a family affair and so is a promise.
For women, there is a specific term: lǎotóng (老同).
It is about a relationship that bonded two girls together for eternity as kindred sisters. It is a strong and precious bond of female friendship. As it is rare, it is very formal and unbreakable.
Source: Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation - Vol. 1
« Sworn Brothers/Sisters/Families: In China, sworn brotherhood describes a binding social pact made by two or more unrelated individuals of the same gender. It can be entered into for social, political, and/or personal reasons and is not only limited to two participants; it can extend to an entire group. It was most common among men, but was not unheard of among women or between people of different genders.
The participants treat members of each other’s families as their own and assist them in the ways an extended family would: providing mutual support and aid, support in political alliances, etc. Sworn siblinghood, where individuals will refer to themselves as brother or sister, is not to be confused with familial relations like blood siblings or adoption. It is sometimes used in Chinese media, particularly damnei, to imply romantic relationships that could otherwise be prone to censorship. »
~ Appendix: Character & Name Guide
FULL LIST
Xuánmén (玄門)
Buddhist or Daoist teachings/principles.
Shì (氏)
Clan, family, lineage, hereditary house.
Shìjiā (世家)
Aristocratic family, noble family, family well-known for a specialty for generations.
Xuánmén shìjiā (玄门 世家)
Cultivation clan.
Pài (派)
Sect, school of thought, branch, faction, group.
Shèngshǒu (聖手)
Master of a certain skill.
Guóshī (國師)
Teacher of a state, state/imperial preceptor.
Dàoshì (道士)
Daoist priest.
Xiānshēng (先生)
Mister, gentleman (of a honourable profession: priest, doctor, teacher).
Jiàoshīyé (教師爺)
Master of martial arts employed by a landlord to guard the house.
Someone who condescendingly lectures others.
Zhǎngmén (掌門)
Sect leader.
Leader of a martial arts school, head of a sect.
Zōngzhǔ (宗主) -
Clan leader.
Head of a clan.
Zōngshī (宗師) – ‘School Master’
Great master, ancestral teacher, founder, venerable scholar.
Example: In the novel Mó Dào Zǔ Shī, the character Lán Ān (蓝安) can be called Lán-zōngshī (蓝宗師), which can be translated as Founder Lan.
Shījiàng (師匠)
Great master, great scholar respected for learning and integrity.
Lǎoshī (老師) – ‘Venerable master’
Old master, teacher.
Shīzǔ (師祖) – ‘Martial ancestor’
Grandmaster, martial forefather, ancestral teacher.
Shīfù (師父) – ‘Teacher father’
Master, teacher, mentor.
Note n°1: It is common usage to use this term to refer to someone who is skilled in what they do after a long practice and who provides teachings and advice.
Note n°2: Despite the literal translation seems to have a male implication, this term is used irrespective of gender.
Shīzūn (師尊) – ‘Respected teacher’
[Formal] Master, teacher, mentor.
The difference between shifu and shizun?
Honestly, I didn't find the subtlety between the two: why one and not the other. So here is my interpretation.
If you want to have a love relationship between a master and his disciple, I advise you to use the term 'shizun' because it allows you to avoid a bit the taboo Master/Disciple (Father/Son). Indeed, unlike 'shifu', it does not contain directly the term father (Fù - 父), which avoids to remind that the disciple should not have any relationship with his master because he is supposed to be like a father for him.
Still with the problem of the character 'Fù', if the master is a woman, it is better to use the term 'shizun' to avoid highlighting the gender conflict.
I would add that 'shizun' seems more polite, more formal like a courtesy title for a tutor.
In modern China, it is a term that has disappeared from everyday language while 'shifu' is very common to the point of designating anyone with a speciality and skills (much more than to talk about a teacher).
Shīgōng (師公) - 'Master Old man'
[Formal] Master of master.
➤ Shīyé (師爺) - 'Master Grandpa'
Teacher of teacher, martial father of martial father.
Example: In the novel Qiānqiū, Shíwǔ is the disciple of Shěn Qiào. Shen Qiao is the disciple of Qí Fènggé. Qi Fengge can be the shiye of Shiwu.
Shīmǔ (師母)
Wife of martial teacher.
Note: It is not a term used for a female master!
Shīniáng (師娘) - 'Martial mother'
Wife of martial teacher who is also a martial teacher.
Shīzhàng (師丈)
Husband of martial teacher.
Shībó (師伯)
Older brother of one’s teacher, martial senior uncle.
Note: Despite the literal translation seems to have a male implication, this term is used irrespective of gender.
Shīshū (師叔)
Martial little brother of one’s teacher, martial junior uncle.
Note: Despite the literal translation seems to have a male implication, this term is used irrespective of gender.
Shīgū (師姑)
Martial sister of one’s teacher, martial aunt.
Advice: If you use the term shīgū, rather than using shībó/shīshū (then valuing a gender distinction), I counsel you to use a female title. If you make a distinction, make it to the end. Be consistent in your work.
Shīxiōng (師兄)
[Formal] Martial older brother, martial male senior.
➤ Dà-shīxiōng (大师兄)
Eldest martial brother.
➤ Shīgē (師哥)
Martial older brother, martial male senior.
Son of one's master.
Shīdì (師弟)
Martial little brother, martial male junior.
Shījiě (師姐)
Martial older sister, martial female senior.
Shīmèi (師妹)
Martial little sister, martial female junior.
Shīzhí (師姪)
Martial nephew.
Note: despite the literal translation seems to have a male implication, this term is used irrespective of gender.
Péiliàn (陪練)
Training partner, sparring partner.
Tú (徒)
Disciple, follower, worshipper.
➤ Túdì (徒弟)
Disciple, ‘inside-the-door’ student.
➤ Xuétú (學徒)
Apprentice, learning-disciple 'outside the usual educational system' student.
➤ Xuéshēng (學生)
Student, pupil.
➤ Dìzǐ (弟子)
Disciple, follower.
➤ Guānmén dìzǐ (關門弟子)
Last disciple [of a master].
➤ Shǒuxí dìzǐ (首席弟子)
Head disciple.
➤ Rùmén dìzǐ (入门弟子)
Inner disciple.
➤ Zhèngshì rùmén dìzǐ (正式入门弟子)
Official inner disciple.
➤ Wàimén dìzǐ (外门弟子)
Outer disciple.
Chapter 7: [Vocabulary] Title & Honorific - Martial family (short version)
Summary:
This chapter contains the vocabulary used in official works.
Chapter Text
Warning: This chapter brings together the vocabulary I have discovered in the works I have read or seen. Contrary to the long version where I did research and found lesser known elements, little used in fiction, the short version offers you a vision of common terms.
FULL LIST
Xuánmén (玄門)
Buddhist or Daoist teachings or principles.
Shì (氏)
Clan, family, lineage, hereditary house.
Shìjiā (世家)
Aristocratic family, noble family, family well-known for a specialty for generations.
Xuánmén shìjiā (玄门 世家)
Cultivation clan.
Pài (派)
Sect, school of thought, branch, faction, group.
Shèngshǒu (聖手)
Master of a certain skill.
Notice: In the novel Mó Dào Zǔ Shī, the hao of the character Jiāng Wǎnyín is Sāndú Shèngshǒu (三毒圣手), which can be translated as Master of Three Poisons.
Xiānshēng (先生)
Mister, gentleman (of a honourable profession: priest, doctor, teacher).
Lǎoshī (老師) – ‘Venerable master’
Old master, teacher.
Shīzǔ (師祖) – ‘Martial ancestor’
Grandmaster, martial forefather, ancestral teacher.
Notice: In the web series The Untamed, Wèi Wúxiàn calls Bàoshān Sànrén his "Grandmaster" (Shīzǔ - 師祖).
Shīfù (師父) – ‘Teacher father’
Master, teacher, mentor.
Note n°1: It is common usage to use this term to refer to someone who is skilled in what they do after a long practice and who provides teachings and advice.
Note n°2: Despite the literal translation seems to have a male implication, this term is used irrespective of gender.
Notice: In the franchise Kung Fu Panda, the character Master Shifu means Master Master.
Shīzūn (師尊) – ‘Respected teacher’
[Formal] Master, teacher, mentor.
Notice: In the novel The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System, Luò Bīnghé calls Shěn Qīngqiū "Teacher" (Shīzūn - 師尊).
Shībó (師伯)
Older brother of one’s teacher, martial senior uncle.
Note: Despite the literal translation seems to have a male implication, this term is used irrespective of gender.
Shīshū (師叔)
Little brother of one’s teacher, martial junior uncle.
Note: Despite the literal translation seems to have a male implication, this term is used irrespective of gender.
Shīgū (師姑)
Sister of one’s teacher, martial aunt.
Advice: If you use the term shīgū, rather than using shībó/shīshū (then valuing a gender distinction), I counsel you to use a female title. If you make a distinction, make it to the end. Be consistent in your work.
Shīxiōng (師兄)
[Formal] Martial older brother, martial male senior.
➤ Dà-shīxiōng (大师兄)
Eldest martial brother.
Shīdì (師弟)
Martial little brother, martial male junior.
Shījiě (師姐)
Martial older sister, martial female senior.
Shīmèi (師妹)
Martial little sister, martial female junior.
Shīzhí (師姪)
Martial nephew.
Note: despite the literal translation seems to have a male implication, this term is used irrespective of gender.
Chapter 8: [Chinese & China] World of ancient China
Summary:
This chapter brings together the vocabulary I have discovered in the works I have read or seen. This short version offers you a vision of common terms.
If you would like more information on the Chinese world, more general and less specific to the Chinese fantasy genre, I invite you to read my work, A guide to languages - Chinese.
Chapter Text
Mèishù (魅術)
Enchantment, art of Seduction, skill of enticing, seducing and luring people.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
Bāozǐ (包子) → Bāo
Snack.
It is a steamed yeast-leavened stuffed bun.
Tánghúlu (糖葫蘆)
Dessert.
It is candied fruits on a bamboo skewer.
Notice: In the fanon of The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System, it is very present that Shen Jiu likes sweets and more particularly tánghúlu.
Zhōu (粥)
Congee, porridge, rice gruel.
Mǐzhōu (米粥)
Rice congee.
Nuòmǐ (糯米) – ‘Glutinous rice’
Ingredient.
Nuò Mǐ Zhōu (糯米粥)
Glutinous rice porridge, sticky rice porridge.
Notice: In the novel The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, the folk remedy to cure corpse poisoning is the nuòmǐzhōu.
Tángrén (糖人)
Brownish figurines made of sugar.
Notice: In the extra of Thousand Autumns, Yàn Wúshī takes Shěn Qiào, who has become a child again, to a merchant and offers him a tangrén in the likeness of Qí Fènggé.
Yuèbǐng (月餅) – Mooncake
Pastry specially consumed during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
It is typically filled with sweet-bean/red bean paste, egg yolk, meat, or lotus-seed paste.
STRUCTURE
Tǔlóu (土樓)
South Chinese circular residence.
It has an annular configuration with a shrine at the center.
OBJECT
Táo (鞀)
Also known as Bōlanggǔ (撥浪鼓) or Táogǔ (鞀鼓).
Pellet drum, hand drum used by peddlers, street vendors as noisemaker, ritual musician, or children as toys.
Notice: In the dònghuà The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Lán Zhàn gives his rattle toy to Wèi Yīng, when they were little. This drum comes back several times, when Wèi Wúxiàn, Lán Wàngjī and Wēn Yuàn are together in Yílíng. Then, when Wei Wuxian, in Mò Xuányǔ's body, rushes to a stall and gets so excited about the toy that he asks Lan Wangji to buy it for him.
OUTFIT
Zhǐjiǎtào (指甲套) – ‘Fingernail covering’
Chinese nail guard.
➤ Hùzhǐ (護指) – ‘Finger protection’
Chinese nail guard.
Yùpèi (玉佩) → Yù
Jade pendant.
Notice: In the novel The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System, Luò Bīnghé has a fake jade pendant (Jiǎ yù Guānyīn - 假玉观音 'Fake jade of Guanyin').
Guān (冠)
Headgear, headwear, hat, cap.
Mò'é (抹額)
Headband.
Tóujì (頭髻)
Male Chinese hairstyle, topknot, man-bun.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENTS
Língchí (凌遲) - 'Death by thousand cuts'
Death sentence/execution by body parts removal (with a knife and slow slicings).
Notice: In the novel The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, the Yuèyáng Cháng clan is murdered by Xuē Yáng via língchí.
FIGURES
Tiānzǐ (天子)
Son of Heaven, emperor.
Notice: In the novel The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, the liqueur sold at Gūsū is called the Emperor's Smile (Tiānzǐ Xiào - 天子笑).
Cháng'é (嫦娥)
Goddess of the Moon.
Mèng Pó (孟婆) – ‘Old Lady Meng’
Goddess of forgetfulness, who serves her famous soup (Meng Po Soup) on the Bridge of Forgetfulness.
Guānyīn (觀音) – ‘The one perceiving the sounds’
Goddess of Mercy.
Notice: In the novel The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, it is in the temple of Guānyīn where the final confrontation with Jīn Guāngyáo takes place.
Yán Wángyé (閻王爺) → Yánmó (閻摩) / Yánluó (閻羅)
Also know as Yama.
King of Hell or Deity of the underworld.
CULTURE
Lángyān (狼煙) - 'Wolf Smoke'
Smoke signal made of burned wolf dung, beacon, flames of war.
Xiānghuǒ (香火) - 'Fragrant Fire'
Joss stick, incense burned as an offering to the dead or for gods.
Zhǐqián (紙錢) - 'Paper Money'
Joss paper, hell money, incense paper, paper made to resemble money and burned as an offering to the dead or for gods made of bamboo or rice.
Míngbì (冥幣) - 'Dark Money'
Joss paper, hell money, incense paper, paper made to resemble money and burned as an offering to the dead or for gods made of bamboo or rice.
Note: There are three types of joss paper (copper color for newly deceased spiritsn silver color for ancestral spirits and gold color for the deities).
Chapter 9: [Miscellaneous] Common mistakes and forgotten details
Summary:
This chapter is in bulk.
Chapter Text
Note: This chapter is a bit of a mess. I do not intend to write any more guides dedicated to a specific work (as I did with SVSSS) but I do have some things to point out. So I am putting everything here.
GENERALITIES
【CLAN OR SECT】
I mentioned this earlier but many people confuse clan and sect.
I remind you: clan = family | sect = school.
A sect can become a clan and a clan can become a sect but a sect cannot be a clan and vice versa.
If a character belongs to a clan, he cannot be a sect disciple or the sect leader. And vice versa.
Example n°1: In the novel Mó Dào Zǔ Shī, the character Jiāng Wǎnyín can never be sect leader because he belongs to the Yúnmèng Jiāng clan.
Example n°2: In the novel Qiān Qiū, the character Yù Ǎi can never be clan leader because he belongs to the Xuándū Shān sect.
【MARTIAL BROTHER OR SWORN BROTHER】
(I use the term brother, but this also applies to sister and sibling)
A martial brother is not equivalent to a sworn brother. And vice versa.
A martial brother can be a sworn brother. And a sworn brother can be a martial brother.
I remind you: martial brother = disciples under the same master | sworn brother = friends who pledge loyalty and support.
Two sworn brothers can become martial brothers if they end up being taught by the same master. Two martial brothers can become sworn brothers if they decide to take an oath.
One becomes a martial brother when the same master accepts both brothers. The master is what makes two people become a martial family.
One becomes a sworn brother when they take a promise with each other. The promise is what makes two people become a sworn family.
【NAMING】
Naming is a miracle. Naming a character is a challenge. Naming a Chinese character is an art.
Behind names in literature, there is often a meaning. A foreshadowing. I could tell you about all the names in chinese fantasy's work but it would take a long time. So, this time, exceptionally, I will let others do it:
LWJ’s name story, by Ziseviolet.
Hidden Meanings Behind MDZS Character Names, by Ty the Canasian in collaboration with Kictor.
So much hidden neaning in their names! Characters' Names Explained - Word of Honor, by AvenueX.
Shi Qingxuan in #chinesewriting #mandarin #calligraphy, by Silvery Ginkgo Chinese.
I invite you here to a poetic journey.
GRANDMASTER OF DEMONIC CULTIVATION (Mó Dào Zǔ Shī - 魔道祖师)
【A BEARD】
I have seen this mistake so many times: the first time, I laughed. The other times, I started to wonder... Lán Qǐrén has a beard not a bear! In addition to 'beard' you can use the term 'goatee'.
【MORE EXPLANATIONS】
More explanation but more specific to MDZS: Resources and references about MDZS.
【THE CASE OF YU-FUREN】
Source: Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation - Vol. 3
« Madam Yu was indeed Jiang Cheng’s mother, Yu Ziyuan. She was, of course, also Jiang Fengmian’s wife, and the two of them had once been cultivation peers. Although she should have bee, known as Madam Jiang, everyone always called her Madam Yu. There was much speculation that Madam Yu disliked using her husband’s surname, due to her strong personality, but the couple never commented on the gossip either way.
Madam Yu came from the renowned Yu Clan of Meishan and was the third oldest of her siblings. Thus, she was also known as San-Niangzi, “Third Girl”. In the cultivation world, she was known as the Purple Spider. Juste speaking that name aloud could strike fear into the hearts of many. Even in yer youth, she possessed a cold personality and disliked fraternizing with others, so interactions with her were rarely pleasant.
Even after marrying Jiang Fengmian, she didn’t enjoy being cooped up at Lotus Pier but spent most her time venturing out into the wider world on Night Hunts. Moreover, her living quarters at Lotus Pier were separated from those of Jiang Fengmian. Her quarters formed a private area that housed herself and the relatives she had brought with her from the Yu Clan. The two young women with her now were named Jinzhu and Yinzhu, both handmaids and trusted aides who never left her side. »
虞夫人就是江澄的母亲，虞紫鸢。当然，也是江枫眠的夫人，当初还曾是他的同修。照理说，应该叫她江夫人，可不知道为什么，所有人一直都是叫她虞夫人。有人猜是不是虞夫人性格强势，不喜冠夫姓。对此，夫妇二人也并无异议。
虞夫人出身望族眉山虞氏，家中排行第三，又称虞三娘子，在玄门之中有一个名号“紫蜘蛛”，报出来就能吓着一批人。年少时便性情冷厉，不喜与人打交道，与人打交道便不讨喜，嫁给江枫眠后也常年夜猎在外，不怎么爱留居江家的莲花坞。而且她在莲花坞的居所和江枫眠是分开的，独占一带，里面只有她和她从虞家带过来的一批家人居住。这两名年轻女子金珠、银珠都是她的心腹使女，总不离身。
Yú-fūrén jiùshì Jiāng Chéng de mǔqīn, Yú Zǐyuān. Dāngrán, yěshì Jiāng Fēngmián de fūrén, dāngchū hái céng shì tā de tóng xiū. Zhàolǐ shuō, yīnggāi jiào tā Jiāng-fūrén, kěbù zhīdào wèishéme, suǒyǒurén yīzhí dōu shì jiào tā Yú-fūrén. Yǒu rén cāi shì bùshì Yú-fūrén xìnggé qiángshì, bù xǐ guān fū xìng. Duì cǐ, fūfù èr rén yě bìng wú yìyì.
Yú-fūrén chūshēn wàngzú Méishān Yú Shì, jiāzhōng páiháng dì sān, yòu chēng yú Sān-niángzǐ, zài xuán mén zhī zhōng yǒu yīgè míng hào “Zǐ Zhīzhū”, bào chūlái jiù néng xiàzhe yī pī rén. Niánshào shí biàn xìngqíng lěnglì, bù xǐyǔ rén dǎjiāodào, yǔ rén dǎjiāodào biàn bù tǎo xǐ, jià gěi Jiāng Fēngmián hòu yě chángnián yè liè zàiwài, bù zě me ài liú jū jiāng jiā de Liánhuā Wù. Érqiě tā zài Liánhuā Wù de jūsuǒ hé Jiāng Fēngmián shì fēnkāi de, dúzhàn yīdài, lǐmiàn zhǐyǒu tā hé tā cóng yú jiā dài guòlái de yī pī jiārén jūzhù. Zhè liǎng míng niánqīng nǚzǐ Jīnzhū, Yínzhū dōu shì tā de xīnfù shǐ nǚ, zǒng bùlí shēn.
~ Chapter 11, "Supreme courage" | Chapter 51 of the web serialization "Supreme Courage 1" (Jué Yǒng Yī - 绝勇一)
The fact that Yú Zǐyuān is called Yú-fūrén, instead of Jiāng-fūrén, is a mistake.
In terms of tradition, it is a mistake.
Yú-fūrén can only be the wife of Yú-zōngzhǔ, the clan leader. And if the Meishan Yu clan is matriarchal and the term Yu-furen refers to the female clan head, then this title is given to Ziyuan's mother and then, by succession, to Ziyuan's eldest sister. Another special case where Ziyuan could be called Madam Yu is if she married a man with the Yu surname.
Yu Ziyuan would then be called Madam Jiang, and if she wanted to keep her origin, we could opt for Madam Jiang from the Meishan Yu clan.
But as MXTX is a Chinese person, it can not be a cultural error: the author has deliberately chosen to make a mistake.
So, in terms of writing and story-telling, what does this mistake mean?
From a positive viewpoint, we can deduce that Ziyuan is a woman who is proud of who she is (a powerful cultivator) and where she comes from (Méishān Yú Shì - 眉山虞氏). She is an independent woman with a prestigious birth clan.
On the negative side, we can deduce that she does not like Yunmeng Jiang and does not want to honour her husband and therefore his clan. She is an arrogant woman with too much pride.
From a neutral viewpoint, we can deduce that the world is changing and that traditions and the usual paths are going to change.... For better or for worse.
And that is not the only error pointing in that direction. The fact that Meng Yao became Jin Guangyao and not Jin Ziyao. The fact that Zhao Zhuliu became Wen Zhuliu. The fact that Wen Yuan became Lan Shizui. The fact that Jin Rulan and Jiang Wanjin are more often called Jin Ling and Jiang Cheng by foreigners. The fact that the courtesy names Wangji, Xichen and Huaisang are used by their own family.
However valid their reasons for such a change, they are aberrations, culturally and traditionally. But from a literary viewpoint, this means a profound change, a change in the very foundations of society.
The character of Yu-furen also needs to be linked with other characters. The most obvious are Jiang Fengmian, Jiang Wanyin and Jiang Yanli.
But there are also other strong female characters, like Jin-furen. They are friends and share the same values and the same problems. Yet we know nothing about the origins of Madam Jin, who has taken her husband's name.
There is also Luo Qingyang, nicknamed Mianmian, who denies her membership to the Jin clan. There is Wen Qing, who claims her membership to the Dafan Wen. Then there is A-Qing, who does not even have a family.
Each of them has a different approach to their name and title, which complements their story and reinforces their identity, as individuals but also as a person in a society.
Yu Ziyuan, as a character, carries the novel's themes: ignorance, rumours, misunderstandings, fabricated truth, silence, fate of one person at the hands of everyone else, stubbornness, resignation, etc..
Did her behavior influence her title or are both reflections of her character? Did she want her title or did she bend under the weight of others? Would she like to be called Jiang-furen but her voice is too weak in the face of all these whispers carrying rumours that she fuels in her screams and her silences?
So why is Yu Ziyuan called Yu-furen and not Jiang-furen?
Because... we have nothing else. We do not know.
Because the author made a mistake. It happens!
Because sometimes you have to break the rules of your own universe.
Because she is just a character and like all the characters, she carries the story's themes.
Because she is an eccentric person who does not want to fit into society's established categories.
Because she is proud of where she was born.
Because she is homesick.
Because she is in conflict with her husband.
Because she is a strong woman.
Because she is a narrow-minded woman.
Because she is a sign of the world's change.
Because she is human and humans make mistakes.
Some mistakes are good, others are bad. In all cases, the mistakes just mark out the path that society is going to take.
How many people have a name they do not like? How many people have been given a name that makes absolutely no sense, even entering the list of worst baby names?
The mistake that is Yu Ziyuan's title has a meaning. What is the meaning of this mistake for her, for her family, for her clan, for society, for the world, for the plot? The most interesting of all answers is the one you, the reader, give it.
HEAVEN OFFICIAL'S BLESSING (Tiān Guān Cì Fú - 天官赐福)
【PRINCESS】
Xiè Lián's parents called him a princess.
Source: Heaven Official's Blessing
« At the mention of Xie Lian, the king seemed to liven up again. "That son of yours, he’s already ten-something years old, but he was raised like a princess." [...] With a knowing smile on her face, the queen nudged the king. "Now you call him a princess. Weren’t you the one who spoiled our princess since he was young? And now you want to blame it all on me?" »
~ Chapter 71, "God of Heaven Interferes in Mortal Matters"
【DOES NOT KNOW WHETHER TO LAUGH OR TO CRY】
Xiè Lián's favourite line! This sentence and its variants would be repeated approximately 38 times in the entire work.
If it made an impression on Western readers (especially as they may see it as a reference to the whole story between Xie Lian and Bái Wúxiàng), I'm not sure it had the same effect on Chinese readers. Indeed, this sentence is extremely common. Here is its version in Chinese for the more curious: Kūxiàobùdé (哭笑不得).
【COOKING SKILLS】
It's a bit of a running gag that Xiè Lián's cooking skills are so bad. But it should not be forgotten that the reason is perhaps... a little more tragic.
The reason his dishes are disastrous now is, probably unconsciously, that he imitates his mother's cooking. Indeed, she was terrible in the kitchen. Since she died, it is a way for him to honour her.
Exceptionally, I give you a link to nice explanation (there are plenty of others but this one cites its sources, so it's a big yes for me): Xie Lian's cooking is terrible, by Nyerus.
【SAME WORDS, 800 YEARS APART】
When Xie Lian meets San Lang for the first time, the teenager quotes himself with the same words that he had used hundreds of years earlier.
Source: Heaven Official's Blessing - Vol.1
« San Lang sighed. "My parents were quarrelling and kicked me out. I walked for a long time but had nowhere to go. I almost passed out from hunger on the streets before finding somewhere at random to lie down." »
~ Chapter 6, "Clothes Redder than Maple, Skin White as Snow" | Chapter 14 of the web serialization "Clothes Redder than Maple, Skin White as Snow II" (Yī hóng shèng fēng fū bái ruò xuě - 衣红胜枫肤白若雪)
⸺
Source: Heaven Official's Blessing - Vol. 2
« That young child's arms immediately shrank back, but he was still gazing at Xie Lian. "My parents were quarreling and kicked me out? I walked for a long time but had nowhere to go." »
~ Chapter 27, "To Ascend Is Human, To Fall Is Also Human" | Chapter 66 of the web serialization "To Ascend Is Human, to Fall Is Also Human" (Rén shàng wéirén rén xià wéirén - 人上为人人下为人), or "People are everyone"
【A TATTOO IN YOUR MEMORY】
The tattoo of Huā Chéng and Xiè Lián is in honour of each other. Huā Chéng has the name of the crown prince in his left forearm and Xiè Lián has his cursed shackles for Wú Míng.
【AN EXTRA】
In the second season of the donghua (and in the chapters of the manhua), Lang Qiangqiu has a deputy god who make an appeareance. This assistant, who is just an extra, takes on greater importance in the animation.
Some fans then gave him the name/title of "Xiǎo Méngyǒu (小盟友)", which means "Little ally". Note that in the credits, the junior official is shown as "Xiǎo Shìwèi (小侍卫)", which means "Little imperial bodyguard".
Chapter 10: Conclusion
Chapter Text
I am making a short concluding chapter because it is always good to end what you have started.
Firstly, I would like to thank you for reading this short guide and I hope that this work will have helped you to better understand Chinese fantasy, to better write works in this universe or to create a world similar to ancient China.
Then I would like to remind you that I did this work first of all for myself, so the points I addressed are points that I researched and that interested me. I would therefore advise you to to search on your own to better understand the notions of this culture.
I have a restricted view of Chinese society and have not studied much Chinese fantasy; I don't speak Mandarin, I've never visited China, etc. This is a viewpoint of a reader completely charmed by some of the works on this subject.
Here I quote the works that I have read or watched. You will see that I am not a great connoisseur.
The Apothecary Diaries (Kusuriya no Hitorigoto - 薬屋のひとりごと, "The Pharmacist's Monologue") = light novel + manga.
→ It is a Japanese work but the universe of the story is inspired by ancient China.Raven of the Inner Palace (Kōkyū no Karasu - 後宮の烏) = light novel + manga + anime.
→ It is a Japanese work but the universe of the story is inspired by ancient China.Irreversible (Bulgayeog - 불가역) = manhwa.
→ It is a Korean work but the universe of the story is inspired by ancient China.The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System (Rén Zhā Fǎnpài Zìjiù Xìtǒng -人渣反派自救系统) = webnovel.
Scumbag System (Chuān Shū Zì Jiù Zhǐ Nán - 穿书自救指南) = dònghuà.The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (Módào Zǔshī - 魔道祖师) = webnovel + dònghuà + mànhuà.
The Untamed (Chén Qíng Lìng - 陈情令) = main webseries.
Fatal Journey (Luàn Pò - 乱魄, 'Chaotic Soul') = spinoff movie.
The Living Dead (Shēng Hún - 生魂, 'Living Soul') = spinoff movie.Heaven Official's Blessing (Tiān Guān Cì Fú - 天官赐福) = webnovel + dònghuà + mànhuà.
Thousand Autumns (Qiān Qiū - 千秋) = webnovel + dònghuà.
Faraway Wanderers (Tiān Yá Kè - 天涯客) = webnovel.
Word of Honor (Shān Hé Lìng - 山河令) = webseries.
The Blood of Youth (Shàonián Gē Xíng - 少年歌行) = webseries.
Douluo Continent (Dòu Luō Dà Lù - 斗罗大陆) = webseries + webnovel.
I thank you again and wish you good luck in your reading and writing!
Cross_Alter on Chapter 4 Mon 25 Sep 2023 06:55AM UTC
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Jin_Mitel on Chapter 4 Mon 25 Sep 2023 09:46AM UTC
Last Edited Mon 25 Sep 2023 11:34AM UTC
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Jin_Mitel on Chapter 4 Tue 26 Sep 2023 12:03PM UTC
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Cross_Alter on Chapter 4 Tue 26 Sep 2023 11:44PM UTC
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Jin_Mitel on Chapter 4 Wed 27 Sep 2023 07:32PM UTC
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Cross_Alter on Chapter 4 Wed 27 Sep 2023 09:20PM UTC
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