兄
xiōng
elder brother; polite address for a man of similar or slightly older age
Meaning
- Primary: Elder brother.
- Extended/Social: A polite address or honorific for a man of similar age or slightly older. Depending on period and social distance, this may range from "brother" (clan/intimate) to "sir," "friend," or "elder."
Grammar and usage
- Vocative Use: Frequently used as a direct address.
Distinctions
- Seniority (兄 vs. 伯): In texts where kinship is precisely delineated, distinguish between 兄 (an elder brother) and 伯 (specifically the eldest brother/first-born). If both appear, they likely denote different rungs of seniority.
- Social Trajectory: The term moves from biological kinship → clan affiliation → general social courtesy.
- Hybrid Usage: When paired with a formal title or office, it often signals a blend of professional respect and personal intimacy (an "insider" address).
Translator notes
- In vocative instances, be cautious not to assume a biological relationship unless supported by the surrounding context.
Decontextualized translator aid. This page describes plausible lexical range; it does not choose what the glyph means in a particular passage.