姐姐好
jiějie hǎo
The English phrase "hello sister" is translated into Chinese as 姐姐好 (jiějie hǎo).
姐姐好 is a polite greeting used when speaking to an older sister or a woman slightly older than the speaker. The term 姐姐 can be used to address one's biological older sister or a woman who is slightly older than the speaker as a sign of respect or friendliness.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 姐姐 (jiějie), meaning 'older sister' and 好 (hǎo), meaning 'good' or 'well'.
Which one should you use?
If the woman is younger than the speaker, the phrase would change to 妹妹好 (mèimei hǎo) instead of 姐姐好 (jiějie hǎo).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term 姐姐 is used to address an older sister.
How do you pronounce it?
jiějie hǎo
Did you know?
- In modern Chinese internet slang, the term 姐姐 (jiějie) is often used to describe an independent, successful woman who is admired for her maturity and style.
- The word 姐姐 is a reduplicated noun, a common feature in Chinese where repeating a character often creates a sense of affection or familiarity.
- In some regions, a woman might be called 姐姐 even if she is younger than the speaker, provided she holds a higher social or professional rank.
Examples in context
- 嗨，姐！Hi, sis!
- 姐姐好。Jiějiě hǎo.Hello, sister.
- 姐姐好，请问你在忙吗？Jiějiě hǎo, qǐngwèn nǐ zài máng ma?Hello, sister, may I ask if you are busy?
Example conversation
A younger man greets a woman he knows at a cafe.
- 志强 Zhiqiang姐姐好，好久不见。Jiějiě hǎo, hǎojiǔ bùjiàn.Hello, sister, long time no see.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，好久不见！Zhìqiáng, hǎojiǔ bùjiàn!Zhiqiang, long time no see!
- 志强 Zhiqiang你最近怎么样？Nǐ zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?How have you been lately?
- 梓涵 Zihan我很好，谢谢。Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxiè.I am very well, thank you.
