弟兄 (dì xiōng) — brothers (collective, older and younger); (mili…

Definition

弟兄 means 'brothers' collectively (older and younger together). In Taiwan-context writing it also means 'fellow soldiers / troops' across the strait.

noun

brothers (collective, older and younger)(military) fellow soldierstroops (often referring to Taiwanese forces)

弟兄。
Tā men sān dì xiōng gǎn qíng hěn shēn.
The three brothers have deep feelings for each other.
弟兄。
Duì àn de dì xiōng yě shì zhōng guó rén.
The troops on the other side are also Chinese.
弟兄。
Liǎng àn dì xiōng yìng gòng tóng wéi hù hé píng.
Brothers across the strait should jointly maintain peace.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

弟dìyounger brother

兄xiōngolder brother

弟兄 joins 弟 younger brother and 兄 older brother to mean brothers.

Characters in this word

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.

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.

Appears in