Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 姐姐 | elder |
| 家姐 | elder |
| 妹妹 | younger |
| 姊妹 | zi² mui⁶ |
Some terms are also used to refer to a group of sisters collectively.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 姐姐 repeats the character 姐 (sister), which is a common way in Chinese to form kinship terms.
Which one should you use?
姐姐 is the standard way to refer to an elder sister, while 妹妹 is used specifically for a younger sister. To refer to sisters collectively, use 姊妹.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
姐姐 is the standard form for an elder sister. In spoken Cantonese, it is very common to use the colloquial 家姐 to refer to one's own elder sister. For a younger sister, 妹妹 is the standard, though 阿妹 is a colloquial version. If you want to be informal, you can use the shortened form 姐 for an older sister or the colloquial 阿姐. The term 姊妹 is a formal way to address sisters collectively, such as when referring to a sisterhood or a group of sisters.
How do you pronounce it?
elder
When do people say it?
In a Hong Kong Buddhist temple, the term 師姐 is used to address a sister who is a Buddhist nun.
Did you know?
- In a social setting, calling a woman 小姐 (miss) might feel too formal or even outdated, so people often use 'sister' terms like 靚姐 (pretty sister) to be friendly.
- In Cantonese, a person might refer to their boss or a female superior as 姐 if they have a close, mentor-like relationship.
- The character 妹 used in 妹妹 is often used as a suffix in names or nicknames to create a sense of endearment or cuteness.
Examples in context
- 我幫緊家姐做數。I am helping my sister to do her math exercises.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 家姐 to talk about helping a sister with math.Tatoeba #12133437 by thesilhouette, translation #1665995 by Amastan
- 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 to describe a daily routine.Tatoeba #1329554 by nickyeow, translation #749588 by Serhiy
- 我家姐整咗個好靚嘅公仔俾我。My sister made me a beautiful doll.This sentence illustrates using 家姐 when talking about a gift made by a sister.Tatoeba #1345614 by nickyeow, translation #245554 by CK
- 阿姐，你好！Hello, older sister!
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a family photo.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit呢個女仔係你姐姐呀？nei1 go3 neoi2 zai2 si6 nei5 zye2 zye2 aa3?Is this girl your older sister?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung唔係，佢係我個表姐。m4 hai6, keoi5 si6 ngo5 go3 biu2 zye2.No, she is my cousin.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit咁你姐姐去咗邊？gam2 nei5 zye2 zye2 heoi3 zo2 bin1?Then where did your older sister go?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我姐姐喺房讀緊書。ngo5 zye2 zye2 hai2 fong2 duk6 gan2 syu1.My older sister is studying in the room.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sister” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
