Definition
姊 (zǐ) is a bound form meaning 'elder sister' — it almost never appears alone in modern Chinese. You will see it in formal or written compounds, especially 姊妹 (zǐmèi, 'sisters'), and occasionally in kinship terms or regional speech. Unlike the common word 姐妹 (jiěmèi), 姊妹 carries a slightly more literary or respectful tone.
b.f.
elder sister (bound form, used in compounds)
Examples
- 。Tāmen shì zǐ mèi liǎ.They are two sisters.
- 。Tāmen zǐ mèi liǎ gǎnqíng hěn hǎo.The two sisters get along very well.
- 。Zhè běn shū shì zǐ mèi liǎ yìqǐ xiě de.This book was written by the two sisters together.
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