姐妹

• Pinyin: jiě mèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 姐 = 女 (woman) + 且 (phonetic) — older sister; 妹 = 女 (woman) + 未 (not yet) — younger sister

Meaning

Sisters. Refers to biological sisters or close female friends.

Literally refers to older and younger sisters. Also widely used colloquially to refer to close female friends, similar to saying 'girlfriends' or 'sisters' in English slang. Common expressions include 好姐妹 (close girlfriends), 亲姐妹 (biological sisters), and 姐妹情 (sisterly bond). The male equivalent is 兄弟 (brothers).

Examples

1. 她们姐妹俩长得非常像。 The two sisters look very much alike.
2. 我和我的好姐妹约好了周末一起逛街。 My close girlfriends and I have plans to go shopping together this weekend.
3. 姐妹之间应该互相帮助，不要吵架。 Sisters should help each other and not argue.

Usage Guide

Context: family, friendship, daily life

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 她是我的亲姐妹。(She is my biological sister.)
• 好姐妹就是要一起分享快乐。(Good girlfriends should share happiness together.)

Don't Say

• 他是我的姐妹 (Don't use 姐妹 for males — it is specifically for females; use 兄弟 for a close male friend or brother)

Origin & History

A compound of 姐 (older sister) and 妹 (younger sister), both characters sharing the 女 (woman) radical.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal