Meanings of 姊
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 姊
Podcast: 姊
Podcast: 姊
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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
Drill the tone of 姊 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 姊
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 姊
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 姊? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Decomposition of 姊
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 姊?
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
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
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.
Complete the Sentence
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)
Word Family of 姊
Compound Meaning
What does 姊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 姊
No, it's more formal and less frequently used than 姐 (jiě) for 'older sister'.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 姊?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.