哥哥
gē ge HSK 2

English Meaning

Categories

📚 Example Sentences

我哥哥在家。
Wǒ gēge zài jiā.
My elder brother is at home.
哥哥来了。
Gēge lái le.
Elder brother is coming.
她哥哥很好。
Tā gēge hěn hǎo.
Her elder brother is very good.
我哥哥帮我辅导作业。
Wǒ gēge bāng wǒ fǔdǎo zuòyè.
My elder brother helps me with homework.
我经常和哥哥一起打篮球。
Wǒ jīngcháng hé gēge yīqǐ dǎ lánqiú.
I often play basketball with my brother.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of the sound 'gege' – it's repetitive and simple, just like how you might call out 'brother!' The first tone (gē) is high and level, suggesting the steady, reliable role an older brother often has.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, in informal and semi-formal contexts. It is typically used when directly addressing one's own older brother or referring to him in conversation with others. In very formal writing, alternatives like 兄长 (xiōngzhǎng) might appear, but 哥哥 remains the most everyday term.

📖 Grammar Points

哥哥 is a noun and can be used as a subject (哥哥来了), object (我爱哥哥), or with a possessive pronoun (我的哥哥). It is often reduplicated (哥→哥哥) in standard Mandarin, which makes it sound affectionate and is the standard form for 'older brother.'

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, the older brother (哥哥) often holds a position of slight authority and responsibility within the sibling hierarchy. The term can also be used respectfully to address older male friends or acquaintances in a casual, friendly way, similar to 'bro' or 'big brother' in English.

🔄 Similar Words

弟弟 (dìdi) means 'younger brother.' 兄弟 (xiōngdì) can mean 'brothers' in general or specifically 'younger brother' in some dialects. 哥哥 is distinct as it always specifies an older brother.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 哥哥 in CILI →

Related Words