长兄 (zhǎng xiōng) — eldest brother (formal/literary term)

Definition

Formal/literary term for 'eldest brother', typically used in writing or traditional contexts rather than everyday speech, where 哥哥 is normal. In Confucian family hierarchy, 长兄 carried near-paternal authority.

noun

eldest brother (formal/literary term)

Examples

长兄。
zhǎng xiōng Zài jiā zhōng dì wèi zuì gāo.
The eldest brother has the highest status in the family.
长兄，。
Tā zuò wéi zhǎng xiōng, chéng dān le shàn yǎng fù mǔ de zé rèn.
As the eldest brother, he bears the responsibility of supporting his parents.
，长兄。
Gǔ rén cháng shuō, zhǎng xiōng rú fù.
The ancients often said that the eldest brother is like a father.

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