Meanings of 姊
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Podcast: 姊
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AI Study Notes for 姊
姉 (zhě) is used in some contexts to refer to an elder sister, but it is less common and can carry a more formal or literary tone compared to 姊 (zǐ).
This term is somewhat formal and may not be used in casual contexts, where 妹 (mèi) for younger sister is more common. Be cautious with pronunciation, especially in Taiwan where it is pronounced jie3, which can lead to confusion among learners. Common collocations include 姊妹 (sisters) and 姊姊 (older sister).
As this character is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, learners should focus on related family terms at their level, such as 妈妈 (māma - mother) and 哥哥 (gēge - elder brother) to build family vocabulary. Recognizing the character's structure can also help with understanding similar terms.
Learners often confuse 姊 (zǐ) with 姐 (jiě) due to their similar meanings. An incorrect usage would be saying 我有一个姊 (wǒ yǒu yī gè zǐ - I have an elder sister) instead of 姐 (jiě).
Pronunciation of 姊
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Etymology of 姊
Decomposition of 姊
Parts
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How to say elder sister in Chinese
“elder sister” in Chinese is姊
The character 姊 (zǐ) refers to an elder sister. It is an older variant of 姊, which is commonly used in modern Mandarin. In Taiwan, it is pronounced as jie3 and also implies a sense of respect or affection for an older female sibling.
When to use 姊
This term is somewhat formal and may not be used in casual contexts, where 妹 (mèi) for younger sister is more common. Be cautious with pronunciation, especially in Taiwan where it is pronounced jie3, which can lead to confusion among learners. Common collocations include 姊妹 (sisters) and 姊姊 (older sister).
姊 or something close to it
姉 (zhě) is used in some contexts to refer to an elder sister, but it is less common and can carry a more formal or literary tone compared to 姊 (zǐ).
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 姊 (zǐ) with 姐 (jiě) due to their similar meanings. An incorrect usage would be saying 我有一个姊 (wǒ yǒu yī gè zǐ - I have an elder sister) instead of 姐 (jiě).
Write 姊
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Practice writing 姊 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 姊
姊 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). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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这俩个____妹接受过极不同的教育.
The two sisters had received very different nurture.
Example Sentences for 姊 (1)
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Word Family of 姊
Words with 姊
What does 姊妹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 姊
No, it's more formal and less frequently used than 姐 (jiě) for 'older sister'.
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