Philippine kinship

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Philippine kinship utilizes the Generational system (see Kinship terminology) to define family. Within common typologies, the Philippine system is one of the most simple classificatory systems of kinship compared to the complex U.S. kinship system (see Cousin).

In it, differences are distinguished by generation, age, and in some cases by gender. You being the child would refer to your parents as Ama (Tagalog formal for Father) or Tatay (Tagalog informal for Father) - and - Ina (Tagalog formal for Mother) or Nanay (Tagalog informal for Mother). Your parents' siblings and their cousins would be your "mga Ninong/Tito" (Tagalog for Uncles) or "mga Ninang/Tita" (Tagalog for Aunts).

Your "mga kapatid" (Tagalog for siblings) would be your brothers or sisters. The terms "Kuya" and "Ate" are Tagalog loanwords titles borrowed from Min Nan (Fukien) and Yueh (Cantonese) Chinese used to address the eldest brother and sister respectively as a sign of respect. Any offsprings of your Ninong/Tito (Uncle) or Ninang/Tita (Aunt) would be your "mga pinsan" (cousins). The terms "Kuya" (Tagalog for eldest brother) and "Ate" (Tagalog for eldest sister) are also titles used to address older male and female cousins (regardless if they are the eldest or not, but older than cousin addressing them) as a sign of respect.

The offsprings of your "mga kapatid" (siblings) and "mga pinsan" (cousins) would be your "mga pamangkin" (nephews/nieces).

If you are a "Amang/Lolo" (Tagalog for Grandfather) or "Inang/Lola" (Tagalog for Grandmother), your "mga apo" (Tagalog for grandchildren) would be the offsprings NOT ONLY of your "mga anak" (Tagalog for children) BUT ALSO the offspring of your children's "mga pinsan" (Tagalog for cousins).