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姐姐
jiějie
What does "姐姐" mean in English?
older sister姐姐在帮我做作业。
My older sister is helping me with my homework.
How to use "姐姐" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
informal
A female sibling older than oneself.
我的姐姐比我大三岁。
My older sister is three years older than me.
姐姐教我弹钢琴。
My sister taught me to play the piano.
Used to address or refer to an older sister. In some dialects, it can also be used to address an older woman as a polite term.
Pro Tip
Addressing Family Members
In Chinese, the term '姐姐' is used for an older sister, while '妹妹' is for a younger sister. Always use the correct term to avoid confusion.
Gold Rule
Age Hierarchy in Sibling Terms
Chinese uses specific terms to denote age hierarchy among siblings. '姐姐' (older sister) and '妹妹' (younger sister) are used to distinguish between them.
Word Origin
Composed of '姐' (elder sister) and the diminutive suffix '姐', derived from Old Chinese '姐' (zǐ, meaning 'woman' or 'sister').
Usage Notes
Commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese. In some regions, it can also be used to address an older woman respectfully.
Word Breakdown
姐
elder sister
root姐
diminutive suffix
suffix汉英词典