家姐
In Cantonese, the phrase for older sister is 家姐. Wiktionary also lists 姐姐.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese |
|---|
| 家姐 |
| 姐姐 |
The term 家姐 is used to refer to or address an older sister. In certain social contexts, it is frequently used as a title for someone who is not a biological sibling.
What does it mean word for word?
家姐 is composed of 家, meaning family and 姐, meaning older sister.
Which one should you use?
家姐 is the more colloquial and common way to refer to one's own older sister in spoken Cantonese, while 姐姐 is another way to express the same concept.
Did you know?
- In many Cantonese-speaking communities, 家姐 is often used as a respectful way to address female shopkeepers or service workers to establish a friendly rapport.
- If you use 家姐 to refer to someone much older than you, it can sometimes imply a sense of 'big sister' authority or street-smart toughness.
- In traditional Cantonese households, the order of siblings is so important that specific terms exist for the 'eldest sister' versus 'middle sisters', rather than using one generic term.
Examples in context
- 我家姐每朝早都會去沖涼。My older sister takes a shower every morning.This sentence shows how to use 家姐 when describing a morning routine.Tatoeba #1329554 by nickyeow, translation #749588 by Serhiy
- 我家姐为咗減肥日日做運動。My older sister exercises every day to lose weight.This sentence shows how to use 家姐 when talking about exercise and weight loss.Tatoeba #10798211 by LeeSooHa, translation #10871940 by gli315400
- 姐姐，你今日點咁開心呀?Sis, why do you look so happy today?
- 阿姐，我想同你一齊去食飯。Big sister, I want to have a meal together with you.
- 阿姐，你係我心底嘅寶貝。Big sister, you are the treasure in my heart.
- 我嘅家姐好叻煮飯。ngo5 ge3 gaa1 ze1 hou2 lek1 jyu2 faan6.My older sister is very good at cooking.
Example conversation
Meiling is showing a photo to Zijian.
- 美玲 Mei Ling呢個係我家姐。ni1 go3 si6 ngo5 gaa1 ze2This is my older sister.
- 子健 Tsz Kin佢好靚喎！keoi5 hou2 leng3 wo3She is very pretty!
- 美玲 Mei Ling多謝你，佢都係咁話。do1 ze6 nei5, keoi5 dou1 si6 gam2 waa6Thank you, she says so too.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你同家姐真係好似。nei5 tung4 gaa1 ze2 zan1 si6 hou2 ci5You and your older sister really look alike.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “older sister” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
