兄弟姊妹
hing1 dai6 zi2 mui6
The English phrase 'siblings' is translated into Cantonese as 兄弟姊妹 (hing1 dai6 zi2 mui6).
兄弟姊妹 is used to refer to siblings collectively in a formal or descriptive context, encompassing both brothers and sisters.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 兄弟姊妹 is a compound of four parts: older brother, younger brother, older sister and younger sister.
Which one should you use?
While 兄弟姊妹 provides a literal description of the sibling relationship, the term 手足 is more commonly used in emotive or idiomatic speech to emphasize the close bond between siblings.
How do you pronounce it?
hing1 dai6 zi2 mui6
Did you know?
- The term 手足 used to describe siblings literally translates to 'hands and feet'.
- When Cantonese speakers talk about 'siblings' in a poetic sense, they might use the word 骨肉 (bone and flesh) to emphasize that they share the same physical essence.
- If you are referring to your siblings in a casual conversation, you might simply use the term 兄弟 (brothers) even if you have sisters, as it acts as a generic collective.
Examples in context
- 佢有幾個兄弟姊妹？keoi5 jau5 gei2 go3 hing1 dai1 zeoi2 mui6?How many siblings does she have?
Example conversation
Two colleagues are chatting during a coffee break.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit嘉欣，你有冇兄弟姊妹？ga1 hei1, nei5 jau5 mou5 hing1 dai6 zi2 mui6?Ka hei, do you have any siblings?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我有兩個兄弟姊妹。ngo5 jau5 loeng2 go3 hing1 dai6 zi2 mui6.I have two siblings.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit係呀？係哥哥定係妹妹？hai6 aa3? si6 go1 go1 ding6 si6 mui6 mui6?Really? Are they older brothers or younger sisters?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan一個哥哥同一個妹妹。jat1 go1 go1 go1 tung4 jat1 go3 mui6 mui6.One older brother and one younger sister.
