Philippine kinship

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Philippine kinship uses 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. As a child you 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 Tito" (Tagalog for Uncles) or "mga Tita" (Tagalog for Aunts) as well as "Ninong" (Tagalog for GodFather) and "Ninang" (Tagalog for GodMother). "Tito" and "Tita" can also used in reference to your parents' close friends.

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 an older brother and sister respectively as a sign of respect. Any children of your Ninong/Tito (Uncle) or Ninang/Tita (Aunt) would be your "mga pinsan" (cousins). The terms "Kuya" (Tagalog for older brother) and "Ate" (Tagalog for older 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. It may also be used for people who aren't necessarily relatives but are older.

The children 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).

Filipinos would generally greet each other using their title like: Kumusta Ate Jhen. or Kumusta Kuya Jay.