姊 (zǐ) — elder sister (bound form, used in compounds)
Definition
姊 (zǐ) is a bound literary form of 'elder sister' that only appears in compounds like 姊妹 ('sisters') — for everyday speech, use 姐姐 (jiějie).
bound form
elder sister (bound form, used in compounds)
Examples
- 。Tā men shì zǐ mèi liǎ.They are two sisters.
- 。Tā men zǐ mèi liǎ gǎn qíng hěn hǎo.The two sisters get along very well.
- 。Zhè běn shū shì zǐ mèi liǎ yì qǐ xiě de.This book was written by the two sisters together.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
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.
Appears in
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