How to Say “Older brother” in Chinese
Relationships and family · HSK 1
"Older brother" in Chinese is 哥哥 (gē ge). 哥哥 (gēge) is older brother. Chinese family terms split siblings by birth order: 哥哥 (older bro), 弟弟 (dìdi, younger bro), 姐姐 (jiějie, older sister), 妹妹 (mèimei, younger sister).
Primary translation
哥哥
gē ge
When to use it
哥哥 (gēge) is older brother. Chinese family terms split siblings by birth order: 哥哥 (older bro), 弟弟 (dìdi, younger bro), 姐姐 (jiějie, older sister), 妹妹 (mèimei, younger sister). The distinction is rigorous; there is no neutral "brother/sister" word. 哥 (single character) addresses an older male directly in casual speech ("hey, man"), often for non-related friends. Children of your 哥哥 are 侄子/侄女 (nephews/nieces through your paternal line).
Example sentences
我有一个哥哥。
Wǒ yǒu yí ge gēge.
I have one older brother.
哥，借你的车一用。
Gē, jiè nǐ de chē yí yòng.
Hey bro, let me borrow your car.
我哥哥在北京工作。
Wǒ gēge zài Běijīng gōngzuò.
My older brother works in Beijing.