兄弟

xiōngdì

noun HSK 4 #400

Meanings

1 brothers
2 bro (informal)

Characters

younger brother

Literally 'elder brother + younger brother', meaning brothers in general or 'bro'.

Examples

他们是亲兄弟。

Tāmen shì qīn xiōngdì.

They are real brothers.

兄弟，帮个忙！

Xiōngdì, bāng gè máng!

Bro, do me a favor!

他有两个兄弟和一个姐姐。

Tā yǒu liǎng gè xiōngdì hé yī gè jiějie.

He has two brothers and one older sister.

Tips

usage

兄弟 literally means 'older brother and younger brother' but is used broadly for 'brothers' or as a casual term of address between male friends, similar to 'bro' or 'dude.'

grammar

As a casual address (bro), 弟 is often said in neutral tone: xiōngdi.

Stroke Order

兄 xiōng

弟 dì