How to Say Sister in Chinese
姐姐
jiějie
姐姐 (jiějie) means older sister; younger sister is 妹妹 (mèimei).
Pronunciation and tones
Jiě has a third tone and the second jie is neutral. In mèimei, mèi has a falling fourth tone and the second mei is neutral.
Two everyday examples
我姐姐是老师。
Wǒ jiějie shì lǎoshī.
My older sister is a teacher.
我妹妹喜欢苹果。
Wǒ mèimei xǐhuan píngguǒ.
My younger sister likes apples.
Usage and common mistakes
Older sister versus younger sister
Use 姐姐 (jiějie) for an older sister and 妹妹 (mèimei) for a younger sister. The choice depends on her age relative to you.
Do not use 姐姐 for every sister
English sister does not specify age, but everyday Mandarin usually does. 姐妹 (jiěmèi) can refer to sisters collectively.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say sister in Chinese?
Say 姐姐 (jiějie) for an older sister or 妹妹 (mèimei) for a younger sister.
What does 妹妹 mean?
妹妹 (mèimei) means younger sister. The first syllable has a fourth tone and the second is neutral.
Can I shorten 姐姐?
Yes. 姐 (jiě) is a common shorter form when addressing or referring to an older sister.