妹妹

• Pinyin: mèi mei
• Hanzi breakdown: 妹 = 女 (woman) + 未 (not yet, phonetic component)

Meaning

Younger sister. Used to refer to one's own younger sister or younger female relative.

Specifically means a younger sister. Can also be used loosely to address younger girls in a friendly way. The formal counterpart for older sister is 姐姐.

Examples

1. 我妹妹今年十岁了。 My younger sister is ten years old this year.
2. 妹妹喜欢画画。 My younger sister likes drawing.
3. 我和妹妹一起去学校。 I go to school together with my younger sister.

Usage Guide

Context: family, everyday

Tone: affectionate

Do Say

• 我妹妹很可爱。(My younger sister is very cute.)
• 她是我妹妹。(She is my younger sister.)

Don't Say

• 叫比自己大的女生妹妹。(Don't call a woman older than you 妹妹 — it's for younger females; use 姐姐 for older ones)

Origin & History

A reduplication of 妹. The character 妹 combines 女 (woman) and 未 (not yet), suggesting a younger female who has 'not yet' grown up.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal