Definition
兄 is a bound form (b.f.) meaning 'elder brother' or 'elder male relative of the same generation'. It is the more formal or literary term compared to the colloquial 哥哥, and appears in compounds like 兄弟, 兄长, 师兄, 堂兄, and 表兄. It is also used as a respectful courtesy address between men, especially in letters or formal contexts (e.g., 王兄 'dear Mr. Wang'). As a bound form, it cannot stand alone as a word in modern Chinese.
b.f.
(bound form) elder brother(bound form) elder male relative of the same generation (e.g., cousin)(bound form) a respectful term of address between menoften used in formal or written contexts
Examples
- ，。Tā shì wǒ xiōngzhǎng, bú shì táng gē.He is my elder brother, not my paternal cousin.
- 兄，，。Wáng xiōng, lái xìn yǐ shōu, xièxie nín de bāngzhù.Dear Mr. Wang, I have received your letter. Thank you for your help.
- 兄。Wǒ de biǎo xiōng zài Měiguó dāng yīshēng.My elder male cousin (on my mother's side) works as a doctor in the United States.
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