哥哥
gēge
The Chinese word for "older brother" is 哥哥 (gēge).
哥哥 is used to refer to an older brother. In Chinese culture, it can also serve as a polite or friendly way to address a young man who is slightly older than you, even if there is no biological relation.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 哥哥 specifically refers to an older brother, the term 弟弟 (dìdi) is used to refer to a younger brother.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, you may use the formal term 長兄 to address an older brother or the informal term 阿哥.
How does it change in a sentence?
哥哥 is a reduplicated form of the single syllable 哥 (gē), which is a common method for forming kinship terms in Chinese.
How do you pronounce it?
gēge
When do people say it?
When addressing a young man who is slightly older than yourself, using 哥哥 is considered a polite or friendly social gesture.
Did you know?
- In many Chinese contexts, calling a non-relative 哥哥 can carry a flirtatious or 'sweet' undertone, often used by women to sound more charming toward a man.
- Chinese has distinct words for older brothers based on birth order, such as 大哥 specifically for the first-born eldest brother.
- In historical Chinese literature, the term 'elder brother' often carries a heavy weight of responsibility, implying the person must act as a second father to younger siblings.
Examples in context
- 她爱慕她哥哥。She adores her older brother.This sentence shows how to express adoration for one's 哥哥.Tatoeba #1883016 by sadhen, translation #469118 by CK
- Tom是我哥哥。Tom is my older brother.This sentence demonstrates how to introduce someone as your 哥哥.Tatoeba #8591295 by easononizuka, translation #1495832 by CK
- 我為哥哥感到驕傲。I'm proud of my older brother.This sentence is useful for expressing pride in one's 哥哥.Tatoeba #13564404 by LeviHighway, translation #13805330 by haohao
- 我真喜欢我的哥哥。I really like my older brother.
- 哥，你吃饭了吗？Brother, have you eaten yet?
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about family members at a cafe.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，你哥哥也在这里吗？Hàorán, nǐ gēge yě zài zhèlǐ ma?Haoran, is your older brother here too?
- 浩然 Haoran不，我哥哥还没到。Bù, wǒ gēge hái méi dào.No, my older brother hasn't arrived yet.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen他什么时候会来？Tā shénme shíhou huì lái?When will he come?
- 浩然 Haoran他大概十分钟后到。Tā dàgài shí fēnzhōng hòu dào.He will probably arrive in ten minutes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “older brother” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
