姐夫
jiěfu
The Mandarin term for brother-in-law (the husband of one's older sister) is 姐夫 (jiěfu).
In Mandarin, kinship terms are highly specific and depend on whether the sibling is older or younger than you. 姐夫 is used specifically to refer to the husband of an older sister.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 姐 (jiě), meaning older sister and 夫 (fu), meaning husband.
Which one should you use?
While 姐夫 (jiěfu) refers specifically to the husband of an older sister, the term 妹夫 (mèifu) is used for the husband of a younger sister.
How do you pronounce it?
jiěfu
Did you know?
- The term 姐夫 is only one of dozens of terms for 'brother-in-law' and 'sister-in-law' depending on whether the relative is on the paternal or maternal side.
- Unlike English speakers who might call their 'brother-in-law' by his first name, it is common and often more polite in China to address him as 姐夫 even in direct conversation.
- In traditional Chinese culture, calling someone 姐夫 may imply a specific social hierarchy where the speaker owes a level of respect to the husband of an older sibling.
Examples in context
- 我姐夫很幽默。Wǒ jiěfu hěn yōumò.My brother-in-law is very humorous.
- 你姐夫在哪儿工作？Nǐ jiěfu zài nǎ'er gōngzuò?Where does your brother-in-law work?
- 这是我姐夫送的礼物。Zhè shì wǒ jiěfu sòng de lǐwù.This is a gift from my brother-in-law.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a family gathering.
- 伟 Wei你姐夫今天来吗？Nǐ jiěfu jīntiān lái ma?Is your brother-in-law coming today?
- 欣怡 Xinyi是的，他会准时到。Shì de, tā huì zhǔnshí dào.Yes, he will arrive on time.
- 伟 Wei那太好了。Nà tài hǎo le.That is great.
- 欣怡 Xinyi我也很期待见到他。Wǒ yě hěn qīdài jiàndào tā.I am also looking forward to seeing him.
