兄弟
xīong dì HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

他们是亲兄弟,关系很好。
Tāmen shì qīn xiōngdì, guānxì hěn hǎo.
They are biological brothers and have a good relationship.
我们像兄弟一样互相帮助。
Wǒmen xiàng xiōngdì yīyàng hùxiāng bāngzhù.
We help each other like brothers.
兄弟俩一起开了一家店。
Xiōngdì liǎ yīqǐ kāile yī jiā diàn.
The two brothers opened a shop together.
他们是好兄弟。
Tāmen shì hǎo xiōngdì.
They are good brothers.
兄弟要团结。
Xiōngdì yào tuánjié.
Brothers must be united.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 兄 (xiōng) looks like a person (儿) under a roof (口), suggesting an older brother caring for the family; 弟 (dì) resembles a young plant growing, symbolizing a younger brother. Together, they form 'brothers' under one family bond.

📝 Usage Notes

Used in both spoken and written Chinese, in formal and informal contexts. It commonly appears in family discussions, narratives about friendship, and expressions of solidarity. In informal speech, it can be used as a term of address for a close male friend, similar to 'bro' or 'mate' in English.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as a subject or object in sentences (e.g., '他们是兄弟'). Can be modified by adjectives (e.g., '亲兄弟' for biological brothers) or used in possessive structures (e.g., '我的兄弟').

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, 兄弟 emphasizes strong familial duty and loyalty. Historically, it extends to sworn brotherhood (结拜兄弟), as seen in classics like 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms', where loyalty is paramount. It reflects Confucian values of hierarchy and harmony within relationships.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 哥哥 (gēge, older brother) and 弟弟 (dìdi, younger brother), which specify birth order, 兄弟 refers to brothers collectively or the fraternal relationship. It is broader than 弟兄 (dìxiong), which is less common and often implies a closer, more informal bond.

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