What do I call my younger cousin?

[dizlol]

I don't speak much mandarin but my relatives are coming to visit. What do I call my younger (female) cousin - in a casual/friendly context? Shes my father's sister's child.

Is xiao mei acceptable?

[Wang7]

I think because China is still a Confucian society what you would reference your female cousin would be dependent upon whether or not she was related to you paternally or maternally.

[Flying Pigeon]

I think since she's family, you can call her by her name, or you can call her xiao (first name). Even though she's your cousin you could also call her meimei.

If you're talking about her with other people, you would refer to her as your 表妹 (biǎomèi).

Listening to my wife refer to her family, this is how I've learned it:

表妹 (biǎomèi) = Mother's brother's/sister's daughter; father's sister's daughter.

堂妹 (tángmèi) = Father's brother's daughter.

If the cousin is an older female you would replace mei with jie; if he's an older male cousin, add a ge; if he's a younger male cousin, add a di.

For example, I refer to my wife's younger male cousin (father's brother's younger son) as her 堂弟 (tángdì).