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March 24, 2026
弟dì(di4)
弟 (dì) refers to a younger brother or junior male, commonly used in familial contexts. It can also serve as a modest term for 'I' in letters, particularly in traditional or formal writing. This character emphasizes relationships and hierarchy within families and social structures.
Strokes7Radical弓Frequency#7521DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of brotherhood is significant, often emphasized in Confucian teachings where family hierarchy and respect for elders are paramount. The use of 弟 reflects the importance of familial relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a younger brother (弟) who is always looking up to his older siblings. The character is made up of the radical for 'child' (子) at the bottom, indicating a familial connection, and the top part resembles a roof, symbolizing home. Picture this younger sibling waiting under the roof of their house.
Meanings of 弟
dì(di4)
primary
1younger brother
2junior male
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 弟
弟Simplified
7Strokes
弓Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#7521Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1TOCFLL1YCTL1
Podcast: 弟
Podcast: 弟
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AI Study Notes for 弟
Quick Contrast
弟 (dì) vs 兄 (xiōng) — use 弟 for younger brother and 兄 for older brother.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a younger brother (弟) who is always looking up to his older siblings. The character is made up of the radical for 'child' (子) at the bottom, indicating a familial connection, and the top part resembles a roof, symbolizing home. Picture this younger sibling waiting under the roof of their house.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 弟 in formal contexts, as it can imply a specific family hierarchy. Common collocations include 弟弟 (dìdì), which directly means 'younger brother.' Ensure you use the correct tone (fourth tone) to avoid confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
弟 is not included in the official HSK vocabulary lists but is relevant for learners at HSK 2 and above due to its familial context. Focus on related terms like 兄 (xiōng - older brother) and 姐 (jiě - older sister) to better understand familial terms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of brotherhood is significant, often emphasized in Confucian teachings where family hierarchy and respect for elders are paramount. The use of 弟 reflects the importance of familial relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 弟 (dì) with its variant 悌 (tì), which relates to brotherly love rather than direct familial relationships. Always remember that 弟 specifically means 'younger brother' and should be used in contexts referring to age or hierarchy.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 弟
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Grammar Patterns of 弟
弟 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 4 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.
I like watching TV; my younger brother likes playing ball.
Example Sentences for 弟 (10)
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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 xiōng dì zhuān mài diàn gěi zì jǐ mǎi le yī jiàn tǐ miàn de chèn shān。
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 zhāo tā de xiōng dì hǒu jiào， ， bó zǐ shàng qīng jīn bào。
He shouted at his brother, his neck veins bulging.
3
雪利的兄弟现在在瑞典做心脏外科高级顾问医师。
xuě lì de xiōng dì xiàn zài zài ruì diǎn zuò xīn zāng wài kē gāo jí gù wèn yī shī。
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 pú táo jiǔ， ， ér tā mén dōng dé de xiōng dì jiě mèi zé xǐ huān hē dù sōng zǐ。
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 dǎ suàn gān shí mó？ ？ tā gēn tā nà xiōng dì yī yàng shén！
What's she up to? She's as loony as her brother!
6
“那是我弟弟。”——“哦，我没认出来呀。”
“ “ nà shì wǒ dì。”——“ dì， 。”——“ ó ， wǒ méi rèn。”
"That's my brother."—"Oh, I hadn't realized."
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 luó zhèng zài dǎ diàn huà， ， nù bù kě è dì shuō zháo tā bèi zhè jī gè xiōng dì nüè dài de。
Monroe was on the phone, raging about her mistreatment by the brothers.
8
在我弟弟的高中毕业典礼上，学生们朗诵了一首诗。
zài wǒ dì dì de gāo zhōng bì yè diǎn lǐ shàng， ， xué shēng mén lǎng sòng le yī shǒu。
At my brother's high school graduation the students recited a poem.
9
他花钱雇我兄弟去杀了诺顿并给了他封口费。
tā huā qián gù wǒ xiōng dì qù shā le nuò dùn bìng gěi le tā fēng kǒu fèi。
He paid my brother to kill Norton and keep his mouth shut.
10
她还是个小姑娘的时候就分担起照顾弟弟的责任。
tā huán shì gè xiǎo gū niáng de shí hòu jiù fēn dān qǐ zhào gù dì dì de zé rèn。
She had shared responsibility for her brother since girlhood.
Cultural Notes for 弟
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of brotherhood is significant, often emphasized in Confucian teachings where family hierarchy and respect for elders are paramount. The use of 弟 reflects the importance of familial relationships.
Word Family of 弟
Compounds27
第di4(prefix indicating ordinal number, e.g. first, number two etc)
梯ti1ladder
递di4to hand over
剃ti4to shave
涕ti4tears
娣di4younger sister; younger brother's wife
鹈ti2pelican
锑ti1antimony
鵜ti2pelican
绨ti2coarse pongee, heavy silk
睇di4to glance, to look, to stare
悌ti4respectful, brotherly
晜
珶
稊
豑
俤
挮
焍
祶
綈
罤
苐
豒
銻
鬀
鮷
Words Containing This Character20
兄弟xiōngdìbrothers
弟弟dìdiyounger brother
弟dìjunior male
弟子dìzǐdisciple
老弟old pal
小弟little brother
弟兄brothers
徒弟túdìapprentice
子弟zǐdìchild
表弟younger male cousin via female line
师弟young disciple (of the same master)師弟
堂弟younger male patrilineal cousin
弟兄们brothers弟兄們
小弟弟little brother
弟妹younger sibling
贤弟worthy little brother賢弟
师兄弟fellow apprentices師兄弟
纨绔子弟hedonistic son of rich parents紈絝子弟
误人子弟to lead people astray誤人子弟
表兄弟male cousins via female line
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 第 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 弟
You can say '我有一个弟弟' (Wǒ yǒu yīgè dìdì) meaning 'I have a younger brother.'
弟 refers to a younger brother, while 兄 refers to an older brother. They represent different family roles.
Yes, but it's typically used in a modest way to refer to oneself. It's less common in modern formal writing.
