big brother (polite address for a man of about the same age as oneself)
HSK 4, unknown, rank #2892, Medium
大哥
dàgē
gang leader
HSK 4, unknown, rank #2892, Medium
大哥
dàgē
boss
HSK 4, unknown, rank #2892, Medium
dàgē(da4ge1) T4
1eldest brother
2big brother (polite address for a man of about the same age as oneself)
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March 24, 2026
大哥()dàgē(da4ge1)
大哥 (dàgē) means 'eldest brother' and is commonly used to refer to a male sibling who is older. It can also serve as a respectful address for a man of similar age, conveying familiarity and camaraderie. In some contexts, it can refer to a gang leader or boss, highlighting a position of authority.
Frequency#2892DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of elder siblings carries significant weight, often associated with respect and authority. Addressing someone as 大哥 signifies a bond that goes beyond mere friendship, indicating a familial-like relationship.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big brother (大哥) lifting you up to see a concert. The character 大 (big) represents 'big' and 哥 (ge) is linked to 'brother.' Visualize your big brother helping you reach new heights, connecting the meaning of the term with its characters.
Meanings of 大哥
dàgē(da4ge1)
1eldest brother
2big brother (polite address for a man of about the same age as oneself)
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About 大哥
大哥Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 大哥
Podcast: 大哥
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AI Study Notes for 大哥
Quick Contrast
大姐 (dàjiě) - use 大哥 for addressing an older male, while 大姐 is for an older female.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big brother (大哥) lifting you up to see a concert. The character 大 (big) represents 'big' and 哥 (ge) is linked to 'brother.' Visualize your big brother helping you reach new heights, connecting the meaning of the term with its characters.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to use 大哥 in overly formal contexts; it is more suitable for informal settings or among friends. Common collocations include 大哥的朋友 (big brother's friend) or used in phrases like '大哥，你好' (Hello, big brother). Ensure you use the correct tones: the first syllable is fourth tone (dà) and the second is first tone (gē).
HSK Study Tips
大哥 is not part of the HSK vocabulary lists but is relevant for learners at HSK 2-3 level due to its practical usage in everyday conversations. Focus on recognizing its tones and practicing it in greetings or friendly introductions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of elder siblings carries significant weight, often associated with respect and authority. Addressing someone as 大哥 signifies a bond that goes beyond mere friendship, indicating a familial-like relationship.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 大哥 with 兄弟 (xiōngdì), which means 'brothers' in a more general sense. Remember that 大哥 specifically refers to the eldest brother or a respectful address for a man, while 兄弟 does not imply age hierarchy.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 大哥
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Cultural Notes for 大哥
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of elder siblings carries significant weight, often associated with respect and authority. Addressing someone as 大哥 signifies a bond that goes beyond mere friendship, indicating a familial-like relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions about 大哥
It's typically used among peers or slightly older individuals; for much older people, it's better to use titles like 先生 (xiānshēng) or 老师 (lǎoshī).
No, 大哥 is informal and should be avoided in formal contexts. Use it in casual settings or among friends.
哥哥 (gēge) means 'older brother' but does not have the same connotations of respect or authority as 大哥.
