Learn a Chinese Character - 姐

1. Character Basics

Radical: 女/nǚ (female radical)

Stroke Count: 8

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jiě (third tone)

3. Meaning

Older sister; sister (polite term for a slightly older woman); elder sister; big sister; female sibling who is older than the speaker; sister-like figure; senior female in a group

4. Common Words

• 姐姐 (jiějie) - elder sister

  我有一个姐姐。

  I have an elder sister.

• 姐妹 (jiěmèi) - sisters

  她们是好姐妹。

  They are good sisters.

• 大姐 (dàjiě) - eldest sister, older sister (polite)

  大姐，你好！

  Hello, elder sister!

• 小姐 (xiǎojiě) - miss, young lady

  这位小姐很漂亮。

  This young lady is very beautiful.

• 师姐 (shījiě) - senior female schoolmate

  我的师姐很优秀。

  My senior female schoolmate is very excellent.

• 空姐 (kōngjiě) - stewardess, air hostess

  她是一名空姐。

  She is a stewardess.

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 姐 has several important grammatical patterns and usages:

• As a noun:

  Used to refer to one's older sister or a sister-like figure

  Example: 我姐姐比我大两岁。 (My elder sister is two years older than me.)

• In kinship terms:

  Used to form various kinship terms related to older sisters

  Examples: 姐姐 (elder sister), 表姐 (elder cousin on father's side), 堂姐 (elder cousin on mother's side)

• As a form of address:

  Used as a polite form of address for slightly older women

  Example: 大姐，请问去火车站怎么走？ (Elder sister, could you tell me how to get to the train station?)

• In compound words:

  Often combined with other characters to form words related to female relationships or roles

  Examples: 姐妹 (sisters), 师姐 (senior female schoolmate), 空姐 (stewardess)

• With numbers to indicate birth order:

  When combined with numbers, indicates the order of sisters

  Examples: 大姐 (eldest sister), 二姐 (second eldest sister), 三姐 (third eldest sister)

• In affectionate terms:

  Can be used as an affectionate term for close female friends or family members

  Example: 好姐妹 (good sisters), 小姐姐 (little sister, affectionate)

The character 姐 is primarily used in the context of family relationships and social interactions, and it conveys respect and affection for older female figures.

6. Cultural Background

The character 姐 has important cultural significance in Chinese society:

• In traditional Chinese culture, elder siblings, especially older sisters, often play important roles in family life, taking care of younger siblings and helping with household responsibilities.
• The term 姐 is used to express respect for older female figures, reflecting the Chinese value of respecting one's elders.
• The character is often used in the context of "兄弟姐妹" (xiōngdì jiěmèi - brothers and sisters), emphasizing the importance of family bonds in Chinese culture.
• The usage of terms like "小姐" has evolved over time. Originally a polite term for young women, it has taken on different connotations in modern contexts.
• In Chinese literature and art, the relationship between siblings, especially sisters, is a common theme, highlighting the emotional bonds between family members.
• The concept of "师姐" and "师妹" in educational settings reflects the traditional Chinese emphasis on seniority and mentorship relationships.

Overall, the character 姐 reflects important cultural values related to family, respect for elders, and social hierarchies in Chinese society.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character 姐 (jiě) can be broken down into two parts:

• The left part is 女 (nǚ), the female radical, which indicates that the character is related to females.
• The right part is 且 (qiě), which provides the pronunciation clue.

To remember this character:

1. Associate the combination of 女 and 且 with the idea of an older female sibling or sister figure.
2. Practice writing the character several times, focusing on the correct stroke order: start with the 女 radical on the left, then add the 且 part on the right.
3. Connect the character to its most common use in everyday phrases like 姐姐 (elder sister) or 姐妹 (sisters).
4. Use mnemonics: Imagine a kind older sister (姐) taking care of her younger siblings.
5. Learn the character's cultural significance by associating it with concepts of family, respect for elders, and sibling relationships in Chinese culture.
6. Notice how 姐 appears in compound words with related meanings, and learn these compounds together to expand your vocabulary.