姊妹 (zǐ mèi) — sisters (both older and younger)

Definition

noun

sisters (both older and younger)

Measure word · 个

姊妹。
Tā men shì yí duì zǐ mèi.
They are a pair of sisters.
姊妹。
zǐ mèi Zhī jiān gǎn qíng hěn shēn.
The bond between sisters is very strong.
姊妹，，。
Tā yǒu liǎng gè zǐ mèi, yí gè jiě jie, yí gè mèi mei.
She has two sisters, one older and one younger.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

姊zǐelder sister

妹mèiyounger sister

姊 and 妹 mean elder and younger sisters, so together they mean sisters.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

女𠂔姊

Meaning part形符xíngfú

女女nǚwoman

Sound part声符shēngfú

𠂔

𠂔𠂔姊zǐ

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

姊 pairs 女 (woman) with 𠂔, a part that gives its sound, to write elder sister.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

女未妹

Meaning part形符xíngfú

女女nǚfemale, woman

Sound part声符shēngfú

未

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

妹 combines 女, a woman, with 未, which gives the sound.

Appears in