What does 兄弟 mean in Chinese?

兄弟 (xiōng dì) means "brothers; younger brother; I, me (humble term used by men in public speech); brotherly; fraternal" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 兄弟?

兄弟 is pronounced "xiōng dì" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 2 syllables.

What HSK level is 兄弟?

兄弟 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 4 on the new one.

What characters make up 兄弟?

兄弟 is made up of the characters 兄, 弟. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 兄弟?

You can practice writing 兄弟 using our stroke order tool.

兄弟 (xiōng dì), brothers

兄弟

xiōng dì

brothers; younger brother; I, me (humble term used by men in public speech); brotherly

HSK 4 Was HSK 5classifier

Characters in This Word

兄弟

Definitions

(classifier) brothers
younger brother
I, me (humble term used by men in public speech)
brotherly
fraternal

Classifier: 个 (gè)

Example Sentences

他有一个弟弟和一个哥哥，兄弟感情很好。

Tā yǒu yī gè dìdi hé yī gè gēge, xiōngdì gǎnqíng hěn hǎo

He has a younger brother and an older brother, and they have a good relationship

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昆仲(kūn zhòng)· (literary) brothers

→

难兄难弟(nán xiōng nán dì)· lit. hard to differentiate between elder and younger brother (idiom)

→

舍弟(shè dì)· my younger brother (humble term)

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HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 4 list

兄弟: HSK 5 on the old exam, HSK 4 on the new one. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 兄弟 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each word comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

兄弟