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兄弟 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
兄弟
xiōngdì
brothers
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, rank #400, Medium
兄弟
xiōngdì
younger brother
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, rank #400, Medium
兄弟
xiōngdì
I, me (humble term used by men in public speech)
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, rank #400, Medium
兄弟
xiōngdì
brotherly
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, rank #400, Medium
兄弟
xiōngdì
fraternal
HSK 4, n, 12 strokes, rank #400, Medium
xiōngdì(xiong1di4)xiong di T1
1brothers
2younger brother
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March 24, 2026
兄弟xiōngdì(xiong1di4)
兄弟 (xiōngdì) means 'brothers' in a general sense, referring to male siblings. It can also denote a close, brotherly relationship among friends or peers, emphasizing camaraderie and loyalty. This term is often used in both familial and social contexts.
Strokes12Frequency#400DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the concept of brotherhood (兄弟) extends beyond blood relations and often encompasses close friends who treat each other like family, reflecting the importance of loyalty and mutual support in social relationships.
Memory tip
Imagine a pair of brothers (兄) standing side by side, their bond so strong that they could be mistaken for twins. The character 兄 looks like two men standing together, and the sound 'xiong' rhymes with 'strong,' emphasizing their strong connection.
Meanings of 兄弟
xiōngdì(xiong1di4)
1brothers
2younger brother
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 兄弟
兄弟Simplified
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#400Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 兄弟
Podcast: 兄弟
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AI study notes for 兄弟
Quick Contrast
弟弟 (dìdì) refers specifically to a younger brother, while 兄弟 (xiōngdì) can refer to brothers in general, regardless of age.
Usage Notes
Be cautious with tone; 兄 is pronounced with a high level tone (xiong1) and 弟 with a falling tone (di4). A common mistake is to confuse 兄弟 with 朋友 (péngyǒu), which means 'friends'; remember that 兄弟 implies a deeper, familial bond. Use this term in both informal and formal situations, but be mindful of your audience when referring to oneself as '我' (wǒ) in a humble manner.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 兄弟 connects with other family-related vocabulary such as 姐姐 (jiějie, older sister) and 妹妹 (mèimei, younger sister). Students should focus on using it within contexts of family and friendship to solidify its meaning and application.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 兄弟 with the term 同胞 (tóngbāo), which means 'siblings' in a broader sense. Remember that 兄弟 is specifically for male siblings or close male relationships.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 兄弟
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
兄弟 (xiōngdì) means 'brothers' in a general sense, referring to male siblings. It can also denote a close, brotherly relationship among friends or peers, emphasizing camaraderie and loyalty. This term is often used in both familial and social contexts.
When to use 兄弟
Be cautious with tone; 兄 is pronounced with a high level tone (xiong1) and 弟 with a falling tone (di4). A common mistake is to confuse 兄弟 with 朋友 (péngyǒu), which means 'friends'; remember that 兄弟 implies a deeper, familial bond. Use this term in both informal and formal situations, but be mindful of your audience when referring to oneself as '我' (wǒ) in a humble manner.
兄弟 or something close to it
弟弟 (dìdì) refers specifically to a younger brother, while 兄弟 (xiōngdì) can refer to brothers in general, regardless of age.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 兄弟 with the term 同胞 (tóngbāo), which means 'siblings' in a broader sense. Remember that 兄弟 is specifically for male siblings or close male relationships.
Write 兄弟
兄
弟
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Practice writing 兄弟 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 兄弟
兄弟 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 5 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我去布鲁克斯____专卖店给自己买了一件体面的衬衫。
I went to Brooks Brothers and bought myself a decent shirt.
Example sentences for 兄弟 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
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 xiōngdì zhuānmàidiàn gěi zìjǐ mǎi le yī jiàn tǐmiàn de chènshān。
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 cháo tā de xiōngdì hǒu jiào， bózi shàng qīng jīn bào tū。
He shouted at his brother, his neck veins bulging.
