兄弟 (xiōng dì) — brothers (elder and younger); (colloquial) youn…

Definition

兄弟 is the general word for 'brothers' (both older and younger) as a pair. Use 哥哥 and 弟弟 when you mean only one specific brother by age.

noun

brothers (elder and younger)(colloquial) younger brother

Measure word · 个

。
Wǒ men sān gè shì qīn xiōng dì.
The three of us are blood brothers.
兄弟。
Wǒ xiōng dì jīn nián shàng xiǎo xué le.
My younger brother started elementary school this year.
兄弟。
Tā men liǎ jiù xiàng xiōng dì yí yàng qīn mì.
The two of them are as close as brothers.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

兄xiōngelder brother

弟dìyounger brother

The 兄 (elder brother) and 弟 (younger brother) stand side by side, meaning brothers.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

口儿兄

The shape 兄 puts 口, a mouth, above 儿 to express the idea of giving orders; this fits the old meaning of an elder brother.

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.

Appears in