Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
哥gē(ge1)
The character 哥 (gē) means 'elder brother' and is commonly used to refer to one's older male sibling. In a broader sense, it can also be used informally to address or refer to older male friends or acquaintances, expressing familiarity or respect.
Strokes10Radical口Frequency#1528DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of hierarchy within the family is significant, and the term 哥 reflects not just a sibling relationship but also social dynamics and respect for elders.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big brother (哥哥, gēge) who is always there to guide you, just like a 'guy' who is a bit older and wiser. The character 哥 combines the mouth radical (口) and the sound component (哥), emphasizing the idea of someone speaking with authority and care.
Meanings of 哥
gē(ge1)
1elder brother
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 哥
哥Simplified
10Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1528Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1TOCFLL1YCTL1
Podcast: 哥
Podcast: 哥
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 哥
Quick Contrast
哥 (gē) vs 兄 (xiōng) — use 哥 for informal or familiar contexts, while 兄 is more formal or literary.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 哥 with 妹 (mèi), which means 'younger sister.' Note that 哥 is informal; in formal contexts, you might use 兄 (xiōng). Be careful with tones; saying 'gě' instead of 'gē' can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Though not listed in HSK levels, 哥 is often introduced in beginner conversations related to family. Students should focus on its usage in familial contexts and how it connects to other family-related vocabulary like 妹 (younger sister) and 姐 (older sister).
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 哥 with the character for younger siblings, like 妹 (mèi). For example, saying '我有一个妹' (wǒ yǒu yī gè mèi) instead of 哥 would be incorrect, as it implies a younger sister instead of an elder brother.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 哥
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 哥 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 哥? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 哥?
Decomposition of 哥
IDS Structure⿱可可
哥Full Character
=
可ke3
top
可ke3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 1
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 哥?
How to say elder brother in Chinese
“elder brother” in Chinese is哥gē
The character 哥 (gē) means 'elder brother' and is commonly used to refer to one's older male sibling. In a broader sense, it can also be used informally to address or refer to older male friends or acquaintances, expressing familiarity or respect.
When to use 哥
Common mistakes include confusing 哥 with 妹 (mèi), which means 'younger sister.' Note that 哥 is informal; in formal contexts, you might use 兄 (xiōng). Be careful with tones; saying 'gě' instead of 'gē' can change the meaning entirely.
哥 or something close to it
哥 (gē) vs 兄 (xiōng) — use 哥 for informal or familiar contexts, while 兄 is more formal or literary.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 哥 with the character for younger siblings, like 妹 (mèi). For example, saying '我有一个妹' (wǒ yǒu yī gè mèi) instead of 哥 would be incorrect, as it implies a younger sister instead of an elder brother.
Write 哥
哥
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 哥 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 哥
哥 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.
