Abstract: Each language has its unique address in its address system. This paper introduces the kinship system in both China and the west and the differences between them. It also discusses the main reasons for these differences, such as different economic system, different family forms and different ideological concept. The purpose of the paper is to help readers to understand differences between Chinese and English kinship terms, thus to reduce the misunderstanding in cross cultural communication.

Key words: kinship system; Chinese kinship system English kinship system; differences; reasons 

摘要：每种语言都有其独特的亲属称谓系统。本文分别介绍了中国亲属称谓系统和西方亲属称谓系统，两者存在的差异。同时也介绍了造成此差异的原因，例如不同的经济体系，不同的家庭组织形式，以及不同的思想体系等。本文的研究目的是为了帮助读者能够增进对亲属称谓语系统的了解和跨文化分析，可以进一步加深对西方文化的认识，克服文化差异造成的交际障碍，从而更好的达到交流的目的。

关键词：亲属称谓系统；中国亲属称谓系统；英语称谓系统；差异；原因