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兄 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
兄
xiōng
elder brother
n, 5 strokes, radical 儿, rank #6644, Hard
xiōng(xiong1)xiong T1
1elder brother
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
兄xiōng(xiong1)
The character 兄 (xiōng) means 'elder brother' and is used to refer to one's older male sibling. It can also denote a respectful way of addressing an elder male in certain contexts. In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of brotherhood carries significant importance, reflecting familial hierarchy and respect.
Strokes5Radical儿Frequency#6644DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the role of the elder brother is significant, often seen as a protector or leader within the family structure, reflecting Confucian values of hierarchy and respect. This is evident in customs where the elder brother is expected to set an example for younger siblings.
Memory tip
Imagine a big brother (兄) standing tall and protective, with strong arms (the character's shape resembles a figure with the top part representing a head and the lower part symbolizing arms). The pronunciation 'xiōng' sounds like 'strong,' which helps you remember that the elder brother is often seen as the protector of the family.
Meanings of 兄
xiōng(xiong1)
1elder brother
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
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About 兄
兄Simplified
5Strokes
儿Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6644Frequency Rank
Podcast: 兄
Podcast: 兄
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AI study notes for 兄
Quick Contrast
弟 (dì) - use 兄 (xiōng) for elder brother,弟 (dì) for younger brother.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use 兄 in contexts relating specifically to elder brothers, as using it for younger siblings would be incorrect. While generally informal, it can be used in respectful contexts; however, avoid it in overly formal situations where titles are more appropriate. Common collocations include 兄弟 (xiōngdì, siblings) and 兄长 (xiōngzhǎng, elder brother).
HSK Study Tips
Although 兄 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is useful for learners aiming to understand family terms. Students should focus on related words, such as 兄弟, to expand their vocabulary in familial contexts. Recognizing how familial relationships are expressed in Chinese will enhance comprehension.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 兄 (xiōng) with 弟 (dì), which means younger brother. For example, saying '我有一个兄弟弟' (wǒ yǒu yī gè xiōngdìdì) is incorrect; the correct form is '我有一个弟弟' (wǒ yǒu yī gè dìdì) for younger brother.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 兄
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The character 兄 (xiōng) means 'elder brother' and is used to refer to one's older male sibling. It can also denote a respectful way of addressing an elder male in certain contexts. In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of brotherhood carries significant importance, reflecting familial hierarchy and respect.
When to use 兄
Be careful to use 兄 in contexts relating specifically to elder brothers, as using it for younger siblings would be incorrect. While generally informal, it can be used in respectful contexts; however, avoid it in overly formal situations where titles are more appropriate. Common collocations include 兄弟 (xiōngdì, siblings) and 兄长 (xiōngzhǎng, elder brother).
兄 or something close to it
弟 (dì) - use 兄 (xiōng) for elder brother,弟 (dì) for younger brother.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 兄 (xiōng) with 弟 (dì), which means younger brother. For example, saying '我有一个兄弟弟' (wǒ yǒu yī gè xiōngdìdì) is incorrect; the correct form is '我有一个弟弟' (wǒ yǒu yī gè dìdì) for younger brother.
Write 兄
兄
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Practice writing 兄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 兄
兄 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我去布鲁克斯____弟专卖店给自己买了一件体面的衬衫。
I went to Brooks Brothers and bought myself a decent shirt.
Common confusions with 兄
兄vs兄妹
xiōngmèi
兄 is part of the term for siblings.
兄vs胸
xiōng
Same pronunciation but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “elder brother”?
or
Example sentences for 兄 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我去布鲁克斯兄弟专卖店给自己买了一件体面的衬衫。
wǒ qù bù Lǔ kè Sī xiōngdì zhuānmàidiàn gěi zìjǐ mǎi le yī jiàn tǐmiàn de chènshān。
I went to Brooks Brothers and bought myself a decent shirt.
2
他朝他的兄弟吼叫，脖子上青筋暴突。
tā cháo tā de xiōngdì hǒu jiào， bózi shàng qīng jīn bào tū。
He shouted at his brother, his neck veins bulging.
Shirley's brother is now a consultant heart surgeon in Sweden.
4
西德人喝葡萄酒，而他们东德的兄弟姐妹则喜欢喝杜松子酒。
xī dé rén hē pútaojiǔ， ér tāmen dōng dé de xiōngdì jiěmèi zé xǐhuan hē dù sōng zi jiǔ。
Whereas West Germans drink wine, their Eastern cousins prefer Schnapps.
5
她打算干什么？她跟她那兄弟一样神经！
tā dǎsuàn gànshénme？ tā gēn tā nà xiōngdì yíyàng shénjīng！
What's she up to? She's as loony as her brother!
6
哇，老兄，那真是太好了！
wā， lǎo xiōng， nà zhēnshi tài hǎo le！
Wow, man! That's totally gnarly!
7
门罗正在打电话，怒不可遏地说着她被这几个兄弟虐待的事。
mén luō zhèngzài dǎdiànhuà， nù bù kě è dì shuō zhe tā bèi zhè jǐ gè xiōngdì nüèdài de shì。
Monroe was on the phone, raging about her mistreatment by the brothers.
8
他花钱雇我兄弟去杀了诺顿并给了他封口费。
tā huāqián gù wǒ xiōngdì qù shā le nuò dùn bìng gěi le tā fēng kǒu fèi。
He paid my brother to kill Norton and keep his mouth shut.
9
她带他们去拜访她那些不苟言笑的表兄表姐们。
tā dài tāmen qù bàifǎng tā nàxiē bù Gǒu yán xiào de biǎo xiōng biǎo jiě men。
She took them to visit her sedate, elderly cousins.
10
她表兄是美发师，正在免费给她烫发。
tā biǎo xiōng shì měi fā Shī， zhèngzài miǎnfèi gěi tā tàng fā。
Her cousin, a hairdresser, was perming her hair as a special treat.
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Cultural Notes for 兄
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the role of an elder brother may not carry the same weight of responsibility and respect as in Chinese culture, where familial hierarchy is more pronounced.
Word Family of 兄
Compounds19
况kuàngmoreover
祝zhùsurname Zhu
竞jìngto compete
党dǎngsurname Dang
兑duìsurname Dui
況kuàngcondition, situation; furthermore
柷zhù
炾huǎng
贶kuàngto bestow, to grant; surname
兌duìcash, check; to exchange
兗yǎnto establish; a province
呪zhòu
岲kuàng
怳huǎng
拀chù
眖kuàng
詋zhòu
貺kuàng
軦kuàng
Words containing this character20
兄弟xiōngdìbrothers
老兄lǎoxiōng'old chap' (form of address between male friends)
兄xiōngelder brother
师兄shīxiōngsenior male fellow student or apprentice師兄
兄妹xiōngmèibrother(s) and sister(s)
弟兄dìxiongbrothers
兄长xiōngzhǎngelder brother兄長
堂兄tángxiōngolder male patrilineal cousin
弟兄们dìxiōngmenbrothers弟兄們
仁兄rénxiōng(honorific written address) My dear friend
师兄弟shīxiōngdìfellow apprentices師兄弟
父兄fùxiōngpatriarch
表兄biǎoxiōngolder male cousin via female line
难兄难弟nànxiōngnàndìfellow sufferers難兄難弟
表兄弟biǎoxiōngdìmale cousins via female line
堂兄弟tángxiōngdìfather's brother's sons
把兄弟bǎxiōngdìsworn brothers
家兄jiāxiōng(polite) my elder brother
兄嫂xiōngsǎoelder brother and his wife
四海之内皆兄弟sìhǎizhīnèijiēxiōngdìall men are brothers四海之內皆兄弟
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 兄
What does 况 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 兄
In Chinese culture, the concept of 兄 (elder brother) carries significant weight as it often denotes respect and familial hierarchy. Eldest siblings are typically seen as role models and leaders within the family structure.
Yes, there are idioms like '兄弟情' (xiōngdì qíng), which refers to the bond between brothers, emphasizing loyalty and camaraderie. Such expressions highlight the importance of brotherhood in Chinese culture.
兄 (xiōng) means 'elder brother' in Chinese. It is used to refer to an older male sibling and can also be used in a broader sense to denote a male who is older or in a position of authority.
You can use 兄 in a sentence like '我的兄弟在北京' which means 'My brother is in Beijing.' It can also be used in phrases such as '哥哥' (gēge), which means 'older brother' as a term of endearment.
Primarily, yes. 兄 refers specifically to an elder brother, and using it for younger siblings would be incorrect.
Yes, but only if the person you are addressing is older and you want to show respect.
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