Chinese distinguishes cousins precisely: 堂 (same surname/paternal) vs 表 (different surname/maternal), and 兄 (older brother) vs 弟 (younger brother) vs 姐 (older sister) vs 妹 (younger sister). So 堂兄 = older male cousin on father's side.
memory
堂 means 'hall' - cousins who share the same ancestral hall (same surname, same paternal lineage). 表 cousins are 'outside' the hall.
