xiōng
noun #6,644

Measure Word

一个

Meanings

  1. 1 elder brother
  2. 2 brother (general)

Examples

Xiōngdì liǎ hěn qīn.
The two brothers are close.
Xiōngzhǎng hǎo!
Hello, elder brother!

Tips

usage
兄弟 = brothers; also used casually like 'bro'.

Components

radical
ér
child; legs (radical form)
The 'legs' radical (Kangxi 10) — a person depicted by two splayed legs. In the carries the 'person' semantics; the mouth on top makes that person an elder brother who speaks for the family. Same radical drives first, see, light.
semantic
kǒu
mouth
Mouth on top — is traditionally read as a person with an emphasised mouth, depicting an older sibling speaking, instructing, or performing ritual prayer (the elder takes the speaking role in family rites). The mouth here is the 'voice of authority' marker.

Stroke Order

xiōng