Chinese · Family & People

哥哥

gēge

Older brother

Beginnernoun

Definition

A brother who is older than you.

Example

我哥哥比我大三岁。

My older brother is three years older than me.

Etymology

哥哥 (gēge) originates from '哥' (gē), which means 'older brother' or 'male elder', combined with a diminutive suffix for affection. It reflects the cultural importance of elder siblings in traditionally hierarchical family systems.

How & Where It’s Used

哥哥 is frequently used in everyday conversation among family and peers, with an informal tone. It is recognized across different regions of China.

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