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子弟 (zǐ dì) — younger generation; youth (especially sons and younger members of a family or community); (in fixed expressions) the people; the younger generation of a particular group (e.g. 子弟兵, 干部子弟)

Definition

子弟 refers to the younger generation tied to a specific family or group (e.g. 干部子弟, 子弟兵), not generic 'children' like 孩子. Compare 子女 (sons and daughters broadly) and 弟子 (disciple of a master).

noun
younger generationyouth (especially sons and younger members of a family or community)(in fixed expressions) the peoplethe younger generation of a particular group (e.g. 子弟兵, 干部子弟)

Examples

  • 子弟。
    Tā shì bù duì dà yuàn zhǎng dà de zǐ dì.
    He is a youth who grew up in a military compound.
  • 子弟。
    Zhōng guó rén mín zǐ dì bīng shǐ zhōng bǎo wèi zhe guó jiā.
    The Chinese People's Liberation Army always defends the nation.
  • 子弟。
    Zhè xiē zǐ dì dà duō lái zì piān yuǎn shān qū.
    These young people mostly come from remote mountain areas.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

子zǐson
弟dìyounger brother

子 and 弟 both refer to younger family members, together naming youth or descendants.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

弟 pictures a spear handle wrapped in a leather strap. The wrapping showed order, and that meaning was extended to a younger brother.

Open 弟 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Family & KinshipLife Stages & Age

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.