....... ELDERS/MASTERS
....... SIBLINGS/SPOUSES
....... FEMALES
ROYALS/NOBLES
ROYALS
....... EMPEROR WIVES
....... KING/PRINCE WIVES
....... PRINCESS / GONGZHU
NOBLES
QING DYNASTY
MISC / OTHER
...... "I"
FAMILY
Numbered ranking precede title
Example:
3-brother, 3-Sao, 3-Shu, 2-Shumu, 3-Niang, 3-Master, 3-Laoye, 3-Aji
三弟 (sān dì) : san(三) three or third, di(弟) younger brother.
三弟 (sān dì) : san(三) three or third, di(弟) younger brother.
1 大 Da [eldest, big, great, 1st]
ex: Dabo is eldest uncle, it's also use to express formality/politeness
ex: Dabo is eldest uncle, it's also use to express formality/politeness
1 一 Yi
2 二 er
3 三 san
4 四 si
5 五 wu
6 六 liu
7 七 qi
8 八 ba
9 九 jiu
10 十 shi
11 十一 shiyi
ELDERS / MASTERS
Male Master
|
Spouse/Female Counterpart
|
Ye-Ye / 爷爷 Ye / 爷 *
Grandpa
|
Nai-Nai / Milk / Tai-tai
少少 / 少 / 太太
❷ 太太/Taitai = Madam or Grandma* |
Laotai Ye /老太爷
Grand Master (Respectful) Old Master
|
Matron =Laotaitai 老-太太/etc Laotai Furen 老太 夫人/etc --"Old Dowager" in mtl :: Lao Furen / 老夫人
--"Dowager" in mtl Old Madam/Lady/Taitai |
Laoye /老爷
Senior Master (Respectful, more than Ye)
|
Furen 老夫
Madam / Tai-Tai |
Ye / 爷
Master
| same as above |
Shaoye / Shao / Less
Young Master
|
Young...
Madam / Tai-Tai / Furen
|
❶ Gongzi: Young Master of wealthy or noble family
❷ Lang - young man
|
❶ Xiao Jie: Young Lady of wealthy or noble family
❷ Qianjin: "A Thousand Gold" is a precious wealthy and noble daughter ❸ Miss : guniang, niang, |
Uncle
|
Uncle’s Wife
: Auntzi
|
Bo / Bobo / Bofu
: father's elder brother
|
Bomu
Bo niang / mu / ma /
|
Shushu / Shen / Shushu / Shufu
: father’s younger brother
*Shu's wife can also be called Shu |
*Shu / Shumu
Shenshen / Shenzi / Sheniang / Shenmu
|
Jiu / Jiujiu
: mother’s brother
: Mu-Uncle in mtl |
Jiumu
: mu-uncle’s wife
: Auntzi in mtl |
Aunt’s Husband
: Unclezi |
Aunt
|
Gufu
: Gu taitai's husband
Guye
: son-in-law, used by wife’s family
|
Gu / Gugu* / Guma
: father’s sister
Gu Taitai/ Madam ❷ Mu-Lady :
: married aunt from maiden's side
|
Yifu
: Yi’s husband
|
Yi / Yimu / Yima
: mother’s sister
|
Fu = husband / father |
Yiniang
❶ maternal aunt ❷ father’s concubine
|
In-Law [-zi]
|
In-Law [-zi]
|
Gonggong / Agong /公公
: father-in-law, enuch
|
Popo / Apo / 婆婆
: mother-in-law
|
Son-in-law
Xu 婿, Nuxu 女婿,
Guye 姑爷 (used by wife’s family)
|
Erxi : ❶ Daughter-in-law
❷ Young Maiden
Xi 媳, Erxi 儿媳, Xifu 媳妇, Erxifu儿媳妇, Erxifuer儿媳妇儿
|
Note: *
太太/Taitai ....... Madam or GrandmaYe / 爷 ....... Master or Grandpa
Gugu ....... Aunt or a High Ranking Female
Fu ....... husband or father
Biao ....... usually Cousin, extended family relationship via females (mother). MTL uses Watch or Table.
Tang ....... usually Cousin, extended family relationship via males (father). MTL uses Lobby. When cousin is seen alone it is usually a "Tang" relationship.
Back to Top
Fu ....... husband or father
Biao ....... usually Cousin, extended family relationship via females (mother). MTL uses Watch or Table.
Tang ....... usually Cousin, extended family relationship via males (father). MTL uses Lobby. When cousin is seen alone it is usually a "Tang" relationship.
Back to Top
SIBLINGS & THEIR SPOUSES
Brother
|
Sister
|
Xiong - prefix added to any male relation to show more respect: | |
哥 Ge / 哥哥 Gege*
: elder brother
|
姐 Jie / 姐姐 Jiejie*
: elder sister
|
弟 Di / Didi
: younger brother
|
妹 Mei / Meimei
: younger sister
|
哥儿 Geer
: title for Sons
|
姐儿 Jieer
: title for daughters
|
Tang [lobby] :
extended family relationship via males (ex: father's side) | Biao [table/watch]
: extended family relationship via females (ex: mother's side) |
Cousin : * Tang Brother/Jie/Mei/Sister | Cousin : * Biao Brother/Jie/Mei/Sister |
Nephew :
Shizi, zhizi,
|
Niece :
Shinu, shengnu, zhunu,
|
Note: There’s no polite “I” or “You” so it is seldom used outside of profane conversations. So these can be used as titles instead of literal (biological).
Sao 嫂 ....... Sister in law [Sao sao / Didi wife/ etc]
Sao can be a general title like Aunt, not necessarily a sister in law so I use Sao instead of sister in law. I use “Sao” for younger and older during MTL editing to simplify.
Sao can be a general title like Aunt, not necessarily a sister in law so I use Sao instead of sister in law. I use “Sao” for younger and older during MTL editing to simplify.
Didi-Mei ....... Didi's wife
Jiejie ....... is more intimate than Jie, I translate it to "Elder-Sister"
Gege ....... is more intimate than Jie, I translate it to "Elder-Brother"
Cousin ....... Tang/Biao Brother/Sister/Mei/
....... Biao ....... extended family relationship via females. MTL uses Watch or Table.
....... Tang ....... extended family relationship via males. MTL uses Lobby.
....... Tang ....... extended family relationship via males. MTL uses Lobby.
....... Tang/Biao Aunt/Uncle/Grandmother etc all
....... Cousin’s wife is Cousin/Biao/Table Sao.
FEMALES
WIVES
Main Room ........... Official Wife
Side Room ........... cefei, cefang, Highest ranking concubine
2nd, 3rd,etc Room ........... other concubines
Common Room ........... tongfang (maid level, lowest qie)
Outside Room ........... Lowest. Kept outside, no formal acknowledgement even for children until they are brought back home. Easiest to discard, not usually acknowledged.
Side Room ........... cefei, cefang, Highest ranking concubine
2nd, 3rd,etc Room ........... other concubines
Common Room ........... tongfang (maid level, lowest qie)
Outside Room ........... Lowest. Kept outside, no formal acknowledgement even for children until they are brought back home. Easiest to discard, not usually acknowledged.
TITLES
Furen ........... legal wife, official wives can be titled/sealed like their husbands with pin/ranks. True Furens have a minimum title requirement.
Taitai / Madam ........... legal wife
Some concubines of the nobility class can be called “Madam”.
Some concubines of the nobility class can be called “Madam”.
Yuanpei Furen ........... legal wife that was first married (first official wife before all the rest)
Follow Room ........... 2nd Legal wife after first legal wife’s death or legal divorce, Still lower status than original 1st wife. Their children will also be of lower status than those borned from original 1st wife.
Muqin / Mother ........... Only a legal wife may be referred to as "mother"
Erxi ........... is a young wife or daughter in law
Family ........... can mean wife, but is not used often [ex Erlang's family = Erlang's wife]
Other Wives
2nd or Flat Wife........... Highest status concubine, but still not a legitimate wife
Concubines :
Guiqie........... Noble Concubine, higher status
Jianqie / Lowqie / cheap qie........... literally "lowly" concubine
Ceshi ........... Side room / concubine
Shiqie........... unlimited number. There’s no wedding ceremony here.
Tongfang........... Lowest ranking concubine, still a maid
Qie/Qieshi........... Concubine
Dowry Maid ........... maid taken when a lady marries, usually to help "serve" the host's husband upon pregnancy.
Outside Room........... Mistress kept outside of residence
Thin Horse........... professionally trained to serve men 瘦马. Known for thin frame, can be educated in arts like xiaojie. More expensive than a "prostitute". Kept by the man being served and gifted instead of staying in a brothel.
***
Niang........... legitimate and non legitimate wives may use the title Niang.
can mean a married woman / concubine, a lady, a young lady.
Niangqin........... biological mother
Yiniang ........... father’s concubine
Gu niang ........... means Young Woman, but is also a Qing dynasty title for a harem’s concubine.
Titles
Shi 氏 ........... example: Song-shi
shi means clan name. Women, upon marriage, are identified by their maiden surname and it is very rare that their personal name is recorded. This is the case even for princesses. They would then be referred to as ––shi, to identify the family they came from.
shi means clan name. Women, upon marriage, are identified by their maiden surname and it is very rare that their personal name is recorded. This is the case even for princesses. They would then be referred to as ––shi, to identify the family they came from.
........... can also be[husband's name][maiden's name]-shi.
Xiaojie ........... Young Lady, usually from a noble family.
Gongzi ........... Young Master, usually from a noble family.
ROYALS / NOBLES
Royal
|
Legal Spouse
|
先帝 Xiandi
: Former dynasty Emperor
|
Tai-Empress Dowager (prior prior)
Empress Dowager
|
太上皇 : Tai Emperor
Taishang Huang, Retired emperor, father of the reigning emperor
|
Empress Dowager
|
Emperor
|
Empress
: other wives below
|
Crown Prince (Huang/Taizi)
|
Crown Princess (Huang/Taizi Fei)
|
Taisun (Sun Taizi /Huang Taisun)
: Crown Prince Heir
|
Taisun Fei
|
Wang / King or Prince
Qinwang
: can be sealed King of whole region
|
Wangfei / Zhengfei (Main Fei)
Qingwang Fei / |
Junwang
: County
|
Jungwang Fei /
Wangfei
|
Prince:
Wangzi / Huangzi
Prince : Bald, not titled/sealed yet
|
Wangzi Fei / Huangzi Fei
Wangfei
|
Shizi / Wang Heir
|
Heir Fei
|
Princess
|
Fuma : 驸马
|
County Owner
|
County Ma : Junma 君马
|
Wang = King
* A prince must be "sealed" before he becomes a proper Wang. A prince sealed with his own land becomes the King of that land and is usually released to the land. A King needs special permission from the Emperor to return the Capital.
* Royal ranks may be granted as an Honorary Title instead of a Royal offspring.
* A prince must be "sealed" before he becomes a proper Wang. A prince sealed with his own land becomes the King of that land and is usually released to the land. A King needs special permission from the Emperor to return the Capital.
* Royal ranks may be granted as an Honorary Title instead of a Royal offspring.
Mother :
Taihou - empress dowager
Muhou - mother empress
Mufei - mother fei/consort
Muqin – mother
Taihou - empress dowager
Muhou - mother empress
Mufei - mother fei/consort
Muqin – mother
Father :
Fu Huang - father emperor
Fu Wang - father wang
Fu - father
Fu Huang - father emperor
Fu Wang - father wang
Fu - father
* More below
EMPEROR WIVES
Emperor Wives and number allowed in each position:
(will vary from dynasty to dynasy)
1 Empress (皇后) Huang Hou
1 Imperial Noble Consort (皇贵妃) (Huang Guifei)
: usually only Empress or Huang Guifei, they should not coexist
: usually only Empress or Huang Guifei, they should not coexist
2 Noble Consorts (贵妃)(Guifei)
4 Consorts (妃)(Fei)
6 Imperial Concubines (嫔)(pin)
: Pins can be leads or owners of a palace.
: Pins can be leads or owners of a palace.
[unlimited allowed]
Noble (贵)
Shufei, titleless imperial concubine NOT Shufei (淑妃) warm and virtuous
Changzai (常在), 1st-Class Female Attendant
Dayin/Promise (答应), 2nd-Class Female Attendant
Beautiful Lady (美人) meiren
The Talented Lady (才人) cairen
Good Lady (良人) liangren
Shanggong (尚宮)
Shangyi (尚儀)
Shangfu (尚服)
Chosen Maid (官女子), Guan Nuzi
typically granted to female servants whom the emperor has taken to a liking and to accompany him without any official recognition while still doing regular servant work. This rank was not part of the official concubine ranking.
typically granted to female servants whom the emperor has taken to a liking and to accompany him without any official recognition while still doing regular servant work. This rank was not part of the official concubine ranking.
Pinfei / Feipin / Feizi
General term for royal concubines
General term for royal concubines
Niang Niang
Title for ranked imperial consorts
Title for ranked imperial consorts
Former Emperor’s Wives - add “Tai” to titles
Taipin, Taifei,
Taipin, Taifei,
KING / PRINCE WIVES
Fei = Consort
Zheng Fei .......... : Main Fei, only legal wife
Wang Fei .......... : Wang Fei usually means "Zheng Fei"
Cefei/Sidefei .......... : side consort/chamber, highest ranked concubine, usu. 2 max (depends on rank and dynasty)
Shufei .......... : a royal concubine, higher than shiqie
Furen .......... : Furen are ranked and granted like other titles, usually related to husband/son's position
Shiqie : lower rank concubine
Tongfang : lowest recognized qie, not ranked as concubine, but higher than just a service maid
Ranked Concubines (seldom used)
Shanggong (尚宮)
Shangyi (尚儀)
Shangfu (尚服)
Wang Fei .......... usually means Main Fei, but can also be Wang's Fei [a Wang's consort]. A Cefei or shufei is also a fei.
Ranks of the wives of the prince of first rank and also the crown prince.
PRINCESS / GONGZHU
Gongzhu / Princess
First Princess.......... gulun gonzhu, 1st rank, or 固倫公主; 固伦公主]
1st Elder Princess.......... Da zhang gongzhu 大长公主
Elder Princess.......... zhang gongzhu 长公主
2nd Elder Princess.......... 2nd rank 和硕公主
Heshuo Princess.......... 2nd rank 和碩公主
Usually granted to daughters of the Emperor
Usually granted to daughters of the Emperor
Husband .......... : Fuma 驸马
*Note: There are other princesses 3rd rank and lower but rarely used in novels.
Junzhu / County Owner
County Owner, junzhu 郡主.......... 3rd rank princess
.......... Usually granted to daughters of Qinwang or
Junior County Owner, Xianzhu县主.......... 4th rank
.......... Usually granted to daughters of Jungwang or shizi
Other Titles
Command Lady, Junjun (郡君), 1st Rank
County Lady, Xianjun 县君, 2nd Rank
Village Lady, Xiangjun 乡君, 3rd Rank
Husband .......... : Junma 君马
Note: Princesses and County owners can own land and collect income like Junwang. They also can bestowed their own “Fu” or Residence instead of living with inlaws. They can also be titled in name only with no power, money, or land.
NOBLES
Male
|
Legal Wives
|
Town/1st Duke : Zhen Guogong 鎮國公
Duke : Guogong / Guojue* /Guo
国公/公爵/公/ |
Duchess : Guogong Furen
|
Maquis : Houye 侯/侯爵
|
Marchioness : Hou Furen
|
Count/Earl : Boye 伯/伯爵
|
Countess : Bo Furen
|
Viscount : Zi子 [rarely used]
|
Viscountess : Zi Furen
|
Baron : Nan 男 [rarely used]
|
Baroness : Nan Furen
|
Prime Minister / Xiang
|
Xiang Furen
|
1st Assistant / Shoufu /首辅
: Chief Cabinet Clerk = Prime Minister |
Shoufu Furen
|
Other Common Ranks
Dajiang 大将 .......... 1st General/Admiral
Jiangjun 将军 .......... high-ranking military officer
Aunt 姑姑 [gugu] .......... Is a high ranking older female (usually a senior ranked Palace Lady)
Notes:
Jue 爵.......... Hereditary, titles will be reduced if current or next title holder does not earn enough merit to retain rank. *usually* Heirs can inherent for 3 generations, each generation a lower rank
Furen ranking .......... 命妇.......... Command Madam
In addition to their husband’s titles, Furens can also be individually sealed by the emperor w/ pin/ranks like their husbands. This elevates their status above lower ranks or rankless Furens regardless of title.
一品 1st Grade aka Yipin
QING DYNASTY
Qinwang ..........1st Class Wang, can be granted Kinghood of a region
Junwang ..........County Wang
Banner—Prince ........... [Beile] 貝勒/贝勒
Banner—Lord........... [Beizi] 貝子/贝子
Wives
Fujin .......... : legal wife
Side-Fujin .......... : highest ranked concubine, considered a master, how many allowed depends on rank
Shu-Fujin .......... : higher ranked Jiji
Jiji .......... : middle ranked concubine, Jiji granted by decree cannot be "gifted" to others like lower ranked qie.
Shiqie .......... : half maid, cannot have children [their children are adopted by higher ranked concubines]
Tongfang .......... : still considered a maid
Note: Concubines can be called little master or Guniang [mtl: Miss/Lady]
Children
❶ Princess ❷ daughter of nobles/royals ❸ Concubine higher than shiqie
Ama 阿玛 .......... : father, Huang Ama : Father Emperor
Mama 玛玛 .......... : Grandmother
Ye (Master) .......... : Prince or son of nobles/royals
Aji .......... : 阿哥 Age : Sons of Prince, nobles/royals
Jiji .......... : 格格 Gege :
Others
Bababead........... Young aji's companion
Banner System [for MTL]
宗女 Clanswoman [Zongnü]
镶黄旗 Inner/Banner [Elite/Banner]
包衣旗 Servant/Banner [coated flag]
包衣 Servant/Class [coated flag]
汉包衣 Han Servant/Banner
Period of Peace and Prosperity : Kangxi, Yongzhen, Qianlong
❶ Kangxi 68 years, (1654-1722) - reigned from 1661 to 1722
: Xuanye
: longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history, and amongst the longest reign in the world
: considered one of China's greatest emperors
: reign brought about long-term stability and relative wealth
: longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history, and amongst the longest reign in the world
: considered one of China's greatest emperors
: reign brought about long-term stability and relative wealth
❷ Yongzheng 56 years, (1678-1735) - reigned from 1722 to 1735
: Siye/4th Master, Yizhen
: main goal was to create an effective government at minimal expense
: Hard working; reign was known for being despotic, efficient, and vigorous
: Unnatural death, most likely poisoning
: Siye/4th Master, Yizhen
: main goal was to create an effective government at minimal expense
: Hard working; reign was known for being despotic, efficient, and vigorous
: Unnatural death, most likely poisoning
❸ Qianlong, 87 years (1711-1799) - reigned from 1735 to 1796
: Siye/4th Master, Hongli
: abdicated in order not to reign longer than his grandfather to be filial
: longest period of de facto power; retain actual power until death in 1799
: a capable and cultured ruler
: Siye/4th Master, Hongli
: abdicated in order not to reign longer than his grandfather to be filial
: longest period of de facto power; retain actual power until death in 1799
: a capable and cultured ruler
MISC
Servants
Nubi, Nucai
Maids
.......... MTL.......... cockroach, cricket, jealousy, ring
.......... MTL.......... cockroach, cricket, jealousy, ring
Yahuan丫鬟.......... servant girl, can also be called
Yatou 丫头 .......... : girl, servant girl. Can be used deprecatingly or as a term of endearment. Is considered rustic in the countryside.endearment.
- Maids are usually named after colors, flowers, seasons and named as a series
- Maids are usually named after colors, flowers, seasons and named as a series
Pozi .......... : old female, and is used similarly to.
Mama.......... : pozi that serve masters closely
Mama.......... : pozi that serve masters closely
Bababead........... Young aji's companion
Location
Fu .......... : A very large, manor like residence . Usually an offical residence granted by title.
[mtl: government/house]
[mtl: government/house]
Yuan .......... : residence / courtyard
Zhuangzi .......... : Farm Estate outside of city.
Jiangnan .......... South Yangtze river, well known for riches, abundance in grains, farming, fishing, scholars. and beauties.
Occupation
Occupation
Da Fu .......... : Doctor [mtl: Da Husband]
Tai Yi .......... : Imperial Doctor
Shifu .......... : Teacher / Master
Others
Chongxi .......... : arrange a wedding for a very ill young man with the hope that the ’event of great joy’ will drive away his bad luck and hasten his recovery
" I "
Zhen
.......... : used by emperor
.......... : used by emperor
Mourning family, Aijia哀家
.......... : used by an empress dowager
.......... : used by an empress dowager
Gu, Lonely, 哀孤
.......... : used by crown prince
.......... : used by crown prince
Ben : This
.......... Bengong: this palace, used by female royals of higher rank
.......... Benwang: this king, used by Wangye
.......... Bengong: this palace, used by female royals of higher rank
.......... Benwang: this king, used by Wangye
.......... This Hall/Temple: used by prince
Chen : Your subject
.......... Chennu - your subject’s daughter, used by daughters of officials
.......... Chenqie - this subject wife, used by noble/royal wives and qie
.......... Erchen - your subject son, used by princes
.......... Weichen - your subject minister, used my officials
.......... Chennu - your subject’s daughter, used by daughters of officials
.......... Chenqie - this subject wife, used by noble/royal wives and qie
.......... Erchen - your subject son, used by princes
.......... Weichen - your subject minister, used my officials
Your Servant :
.......... Nucai, Nubi – used by slaves (actually means slave not servant)
.......... Qie, Qieshi, Servant/Slave Qie – Your concubine, used by all wives
.......... Nucai, Nubi – used by slaves (actually means slave not servant)
.......... Qie, Qieshi, Servant/Slave Qie – Your concubine, used by all wives
***
Humble One .......... Xiaoren, small one, the villain,