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A2 noun 10 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

哥嫂

Elder brother's wife.

ge sao
At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn basic family terms like 'mother', 'father', 'brother', and 'sister'. '哥嫂' might be a bit advanced, but you can understand it by breaking it down. '哥' (gē) comes from '哥哥' (elder brother), and '嫂' (sǎo) means his wife. At this stage, you should simply recognize that this word refers to two people in your family: your big brother and his wife. You might use it in very simple sentences like 'My 哥嫂 are happy' or 'I love my 哥嫂'. Focus on the fact that Chinese has specific names for every family member, unlike English where 'in-law' covers many people. Just remember: 哥 + 嫂 = Brother + His Wife.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the A2 level, you are beginning to talk about your family in more detail. You should be able to use '哥嫂' to describe family gatherings or living situations. For example, 'I am going to my 哥嫂's house' (我去哥嫂家). You should also notice how Chinese combines characters to save time. Instead of saying 'my elder brother and my elder brother's wife,' you just say '哥嫂'. This is a great example of how Chinese grammar works by compounding meanings. You should practice using this word when talking about your weekend plans or who you live with. It is a very common word in daily life, so learning it now will help you sound more natural when discussing your family tree.
At the B1 level, you should understand the social implications of '哥嫂'. In Chinese culture, the elder brother and his wife often have a responsibility to look after younger siblings. You might hear this word used in stories about family support or duty. You should be able to use it in more complex sentences, such as 'My 哥嫂 helped me pay for university' or 'I need to ask my 哥嫂 for advice.' You should also be comfortable with the possessive form, knowing that '我的哥嫂' and '哥嫂' can often be used interchangeably depending on the context. At this level, start looking for this word in Chinese TV shows or graded readers about family life.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the B2 level, you should be aware of the nuances between '哥嫂' and its more formal counterpart '兄嫂'. You should understand that '哥嫂' is the standard for spoken Mandarin, while '兄嫂' might appear in literature or formal speeches. You should also be able to discuss the cultural concept of '长兄如父，长嫂如母' (the eldest brother is like a father, the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother) and how this affects the status of the '哥嫂' in a family. You should be able to use the term in hypothetical scenarios or when discussing social trends, such as how the role of the '哥嫂' is changing in modern, one-child policy-affected families.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the C1 level, you are expected to use '哥嫂' with complete naturalness and understand its use in various registers. You should recognize it in classical literature or period dramas where family hierarchy is a central theme. You should be able to analyze the linguistic structure of the word and compare it to other kinship terms across different Chinese dialects (like Cantonese '阿哥阿嫂'). You should also be able to use the term in sophisticated discussions about sociology, such as the 'sandwich generation' in China and how '哥嫂' often share the burden of elder care with their younger siblings. Your usage should reflect an understanding of 'face' and respect within the family hierarchy.
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '哥嫂'. You understand the historical evolution of the term and the radical components of the character '嫂'. You can use the term in creative writing or academic analysis of Chinese kinship systems. You should be able to detect subtle emotional undertones when someone uses '哥嫂' versus '我哥和我嫂子'—the former often implying a more traditional, unified family view, while the latter might suggest a more individualized perspective. You are also aware of regional variations and how the term might be used metaphorically in certain subcultures or secret societies (where 'brother' and 'sister-in-law' are titles of rank).
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें
उदाहरण

哥嫂 30 सेकंड में

  • Refers to the couple: elder brother and his wife.
  • A collective noun used in family contexts.
  • Indicates respect and family hierarchy.
  • Common in both spoken and written Mandarin.

The Chinese term 哥嫂 (gēsǎo) is a compound noun that serves as a collective reference to one's elder brother and his wife. In the intricate web of Chinese kinship, terms are rarely generic; they specify age, lineage, and marital status with surgical precision. While English uses the broad term 'in-laws' or specifically 'brother and sister-in-law,' Chinese combines the characters for elder brother (哥 - gē) and elder brother's wife (嫂 - sǎo) to create a single unit of address and reference. This term is foundational for anyone navigating Chinese social dynamics, as it reflects the traditional Confucian emphasis on family hierarchy and the specific roles assigned to the eldest siblings. Understanding 哥嫂 is not just about vocabulary; it is about understanding the expectations of care, respect, and mutual support that define the relationship between a younger sibling and their elder brother's household.

Linguistic Composition
The term is formed by 哥 (gē), meaning elder brother, and 嫂 (sǎo), which is the specific term for the wife of an elder brother. Unlike the younger brother's wife (弟媳 - dìxí), the 嫂子 (sǎozi) holds a position of significant maternal authority within the sibling group.
Social Context
You will most frequently use this word when talking to parents about your brother's family, or when addressing the couple together in a collective sense. It is common in both rural and urban settings, though the intensity of the 'elder-authority' might vary.

过年的时候，我打算去哥嫂家住几天，看看小侄子。(During the Lunar New Year, I plan to stay at my elder brother and sister-in-law's house for a few days to see my little nephew.)

The use of 哥嫂 also implies a sense of unity. In traditional Chinese culture, once a woman marries the eldest brother, she becomes an integral part of that family's core leadership among the siblings. The phrase 长兄如父，长嫂如母 (The eldest brother is like a father, the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother) encapsulates why this pair is often grouped together. They are seen as a secondary parental unit, especially in the absence of the actual parents. Therefore, when you speak of 哥嫂, you are often referring to them as a household unit that provides guidance or financial help to younger siblings.

我这身衣服是哥嫂买给我的生日礼物。(These clothes are a birthday gift my elder brother and sister-in-law bought for me.)

Modern Nuance
In modern urban China, while the 'authority' aspect has weakened, the term remains the standard way to refer to the couple. It is much more natural than saying 'my brother and his wife' (我的哥哥和他的妻子), which sounds overly formal and clinical.

Using 哥嫂 effectively requires understanding its role as a collective noun. It functions as the subject or object of a sentence, much like any other family designation. However, because it represents two people, the verbs following it often imply shared actions or shared ownership. For instance, when talking about their home, their children, or their decisions, 哥嫂 is the most efficient way to express 'them' within the family context. It is important to note that you would not use this term to address them directly to their faces in a casual setting; instead, you would address them individually or use a plural marker if necessary, though '哥嫂' is frequently used in third-person descriptions.

哥嫂感情很好，很少吵架。(My elder brother and sister-in-law have a great relationship; they rarely quarrel.)

In terms of grammar, 哥嫂 can be modified by possessive pronouns like 我的 (my) or 他家的 (his family's), though in Chinese, possessive pronouns are often dropped when the relationship is clear. You can also use it with quantity markers, such as 两对哥嫂 (two pairs of elder brothers and their wives) if you have multiple married elder brothers. This level of specificity is a hallmark of Chinese kinship terms, where the listener immediately knows the exact branch of the family tree being discussed.

Common Verb Pairings
Commonly paired with verbs like 商量 (discuss), 孝敬 (show filial piety to), and 寄 (send, as in mail). For example, '我需要和哥嫂商量一下这件事' (I need to discuss this matter with my elder brother and sister-in-law).

由于父母不在身边，我是由哥嫂抚养长大的。(Since my parents weren't around, I was raised by my elder brother and sister-in-law.)

One interesting aspect of using 哥嫂 is its role in 'face' (面子 - miànzi). When you mention them to outsiders, using this term shows that you respect their status as a unified couple. It sounds much more respectful and 'family-oriented' than referring to them as 'my brother and his wife.' It implies a closeness and a shared family identity that is highly valued in Chinese culture. In written letters or formal family announcements, this term is the standard way to include both individuals without having to list their names separately, which can sometimes be seen as too informal or even disrespectful if the age gap is significant.

In the real world, 哥嫂 is a staple of family-oriented television dramas (家庭剧 - jiātíng jù), which are incredibly popular in China. These shows often revolve around the conflicts and bonds between siblings, and you will hear younger characters frequently discussing their 哥嫂 in the context of inheritance, caring for elderly parents, or raising children. Outside of media, you will hear it most often during the Spring Festival (春节 - Chūnjié), when families gather. A person might say to their friend, '今年我去我哥嫂那儿过年' (This year I'm going to my elder brother and sister-in-law's place for New Year).

在很多农村地区，哥嫂往往承担着照顾年迈父母的主要责任。(In many rural areas, the elder brother and sister-in-law often bear the primary responsibility of taking care of elderly parents.)

You will also encounter this word in literature, particularly in stories that deal with traditional family structures. In classical novels like 'Dream of the Red Chamber' or modern works by authors like Ba Jin, the dynamics between a protagonist and their 哥嫂 are used to explore themes of duty versus desire. Even in business contexts, if a family runs a company, you might hear employees refer to the 'boss and his wife' as 哥嫂 if the speaker is close enough to the family or if the boss is seen as an 'elder brother' figure to the staff.

Dialectal Variations
While '哥嫂' is standard Mandarin (Putonghua), in some Southern dialects like Cantonese, people might use '阿哥阿嫂' (ā gē ā sǎo). However, the written form remains consistent across most of China.

邻居们都夸他的哥嫂为人厚道，乐于助人。(The neighbors all praise his elder brother and sister-in-law for being kind-hearted and helpful.)

Another common place to hear this is in gossip (八卦 - bāguà). Within a large extended family, relatives might discuss the 哥嫂's financial situation or how they are raising their kids. It is a very 'communal' word; it frames the two individuals as a single unit for the purpose of social evaluation. If you are invited to a wedding of a friend's elder brother, you might ask your friend about the 哥嫂 to show interest in his family as a whole.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using 哥嫂 to refer to a younger brother and his wife. In Chinese, age seniority is paramount. The term for a younger brother and his wife is 弟妹 (dìmèi) or 弟媳 (dìxí). Using 哥嫂 for a younger brother sounds linguistically 'incorrect' and can be confusing, as it implies a hierarchy that doesn't exist. Always double-check if the brother in question is older or younger than the person being used as the reference point.

错误：我的小弟和他的妻子是我的哥嫂。(Wrong: My little brother and his wife are my 'elder brother and sister-in-law'.)

Another common error is using 哥嫂 to refer to only one person. Remember, this is a collective noun. If you want to talk about just your brother's wife, you must use 嫂子 (sǎozi). If you want to talk about just your brother, use 哥哥 (gēge). Using the compound term when you only mean one of them will lead to confusion about who did what. For instance, '我哥嫂怀孕了' (My brother and sister-in-law are pregnant) is technically correct as a couple's status, but '我哥嫂去买菜了' implies they both went together.

Confusion with 'In-laws'
English speakers often try to use '哥嫂' to mean 'my wife's brother and his wife.' While this is sometimes colloquially used, the technical term for your wife's brother is '内兄' (nèixiōng) or more commonly '大舅子' (dàjiùzi). '哥嫂' is primarily for your own blood-related elder brother and his wife.

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the tone of 嫂 (sǎo), which is a third tone. If pronounced incorrectly, it might be confused with other sounds. Also, avoid using 哥嫂 in extremely formal legal documents unless specified, as legal Chinese often uses more archaic or specific terms like 兄嫂 (xiōngsǎo). In daily conversation, however, 哥嫂 is perfectly natural. Just ensure you aren't omitting the '哥' if you mean the couple, as '嫂' alone only refers to the woman.

To truly master the family vocabulary, you must understand how 哥嫂 relates to similar terms. The most direct alternative is 兄嫂 (xiōngsǎo). While they mean the same thing, 兄嫂 is more formal and is often used in written literature or formal speeches. In casual conversation, 哥嫂 is much more common. Another related term is 弟妹 (dìmèi), which refers to a younger brother and his wife. This symmetry is important: 哥/嫂 for elder, 弟/妹 for younger.

哥嫂 vs. 哥哥嫂子
'哥哥嫂子' is just the expanded version. It's like saying 'my elder brother and my sister-in-law' versus 'my brother-and-sister-in-law.' The two-character version '哥嫂' is more concise and frequently used in fast-paced speech.
哥嫂 vs. 夫妻
'夫妻' (fūqī) means 'husband and wife' in a general sense. You would use '哥嫂' when you want to emphasize their relationship to you, whereas '夫妻' describes their relationship to each other.

比起兄嫂这个词，日常生活中我们更多地使用“哥嫂”。(Compared to the term 'xiōngsǎo', we use 'gēsǎo' much more in daily life.)

If you are referring to multiple elder brothers and their wives, you might use 哥哥嫂嫂们 (gēge sǎosao men), but this is quite a mouthful. Usually, speakers will specify which one, like 大哥嫂 or 二哥嫂. In some regions, you might also hear 哥们儿两口子 (gēmenr liǎngkǒuzi), which is very informal and slangy, literally meaning 'my brother and his two-mouths' (couple). However, 哥嫂 remains the most versatile and safe term for learners to use in almost any social situation.

Lastly, consider the term 姻亲 (yīnqīn), which is the broad academic term for 'relatives by marriage' (in-laws). While 哥嫂 are technically 姻亲, nobody would ever use such a cold, technical term in a conversation about their family. It would be like calling your mother 'my female biological progenitor.' Stick to 哥嫂 to sound like a native speaker who values family warmth.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /ɡʌ saʊ/
US /ɡə saʊ/
The stress is equal on both characters, though 'sǎo' often feels more prominent due to the tone change.
आम गलतियाँ
  • Pronouncing 'gē' as 'gee
पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

1

我爱我的哥嫂。

I love my elder brother and sister-in-law.

Subject + Verb + Object.

2

哥嫂家很大。

My elder brother and sister-in-law's house is very big.

Possessive 'de' is omitted here for family.

3

哥嫂有孩子吗？

Do my elder brother and sister-in-law have children?

Simple question with 'ma'.

4

这是我哥嫂。

These are my elder brother and sister-in-law.

Identifying people.

5

哥嫂在吃饭。

My elder brother and sister-in-law are eating.

Present continuous action.

6

哥嫂人很好。

My elder brother and sister-in-law are good people.

Adjective describing personality.

7

哥嫂喜欢猫。

My elder brother and sister-in-law like cats.

Stative verb 'like'.

8

我去见哥嫂。

I am going to see my elder brother and sister-in-law.

Movement verb 'go'.

1

周末我要去哥嫂家吃饭。

This weekend I am going to eat at my elder brother and sister-in-law's house.

Time + Subject + Verb.

2

哥嫂送了我一个新手机。

My elder brother and sister-in-law gave me a new phone.

Double object construction.

3

哥嫂住在北京很多年了。

My elder brother and sister-in-law have lived in Beijing for many years.

Duration of action.

4

你可以问问我的哥嫂。

You can ask my elder brother and sister-in-law.

Verb reduplication 'wenwen'.

5

哥嫂比我大十岁。

My elder brother and sister-in-law are ten years older than me.

Comparison using 'bi'.

6

哥嫂的工作都很忙。

Both my elder brother and sister-in-law's jobs are very busy.

Use of 'dou' for both.

7

我经常给哥嫂打电话。

I often call my elder brother and sister-in-law.

Adverb 'often' + prepositional phrase.

8

哥嫂结婚五年了。

My elder brother and sister-in-law have been married for five years.

Resultative state.

1

哥嫂为了照顾父母，搬到了老家。

In order to take care of our parents, my elder brother and sister-in-law moved to our hometown.

Purpose clause with 'weile'.

2

这件事我得先跟哥嫂商量一下。

I have to discuss this matter with my elder brother and sister-in-law first.

Modal verb 'dei' (must).

3

哥嫂一直很支持我的决定。

My elder brother and sister-in-law have always supported my decisions.

Adverb 'yizhi' (always).

4

如果没有哥嫂的帮助，我无法完成学业。

If it weren't for the help of my elder brother and sister-in-law, I couldn't have finished my studies.

Conditional 'ruguo... jiu'.

5

哥嫂的关系在亲戚中是出了名的好。

The relationship between my elder brother and sister-in-law is famous among our relatives for being good.

Topic-comment structure.

6

我哥嫂打算明年要第二个孩子。

My elder brother and sister-in-law plan to have a second child next year.

Future intention.

7

哥嫂经常带我去旅游。

My elder brother and sister-in-law often take me traveling.

Causative/Directional structure.

8

哥嫂虽然工作忙，但还是很关心我。

Although my elder brother and sister-in-law are busy, they still care about me a lot.

Concession 'suiran... dan'.

1

在传统的观念里，哥嫂在家庭中有着很高的地位。

In traditional concepts, the elder brother and sister-in-law hold a very high status in the family.

Prepositional phrase 'zai... li'.

2

哥嫂不仅经营着一家店，还照顾着全家人的生活。

My elder brother and sister-in-law not only run a shop but also take care of the entire family's life.

Progressive connection 'bujin... hai'.

3

每逢佳节，哥嫂总是最忙碌的人。

Every holiday, my elder brother and sister-in-law are always the busiest people.

Time phrase 'meifeng'.

4

哥嫂的言传身教对我产生了深远的影响。

The words and deeds of my elder brother and sister-in-law have had a profound impact on me.

Abstract noun phrase.

5

哥嫂为了给我攒学费，省吃俭用了好几年。

To save up for my tuition, my elder brother and sister-in-law lived frugally for several years.

Four-character idiom 'sheng chi jian yong'.

6

我哥嫂的家成了我们兄弟姐妹聚会的中心。

My elder brother and sister-in-law's home has become the center for our siblings' gatherings.

Resultative 'cheng le'.

7

由于父母早逝，哥嫂对我来说就像父母一样。

Since our parents passed away early, my elder brother and sister-in-law are like parents to me.

Causal 'youyu'.

8

哥嫂在处理家庭矛盾时总是非常公正。

My elder brother and sister-in-law are always very fair when dealing with family conflicts.

Locative 'zai... shi'.

1

长兄如父，长嫂如母，这句话在哥嫂身上得到了完美的体现。

The saying 'the eldest brother is like a father, the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother' is perfectly embodied by them.

Classical idiom integration.

2

哥嫂那代人的勤劳与奉献，是现代年轻人难以想象的。

The hard work and dedication of my elder brother and sister-in-law's generation is hard for modern young people to imagine.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

3

面对家族产业的危机，哥嫂顶住了巨大的压力。

Facing the crisis of the family business, my elder brother and sister-in-law withstood immense pressure.

Participial phrase 'miandui...'.

4

哥嫂的婚姻模式，反映了那个时代特有的社会价值观。

The marriage pattern of my elder brother and sister-in-law reflects the social values unique to that era.

Reflective verb 'fanying'.

5

尽管岁月流逝，哥嫂之间的那份默契却愈发深厚。

Despite the passage of time, the tacit understanding between my elder brother and sister-in-law has grown deeper.

Concession 'jinguan... que'.

6

哥嫂不仅是我的亲人，更是我人生道路上的指路明灯。

My elder brother and sister-in-law are not just my relatives, but the guiding lights on my life's path.

Metaphorical use.

7

在处理遗产继承问题时，哥嫂表现出了极大的大度。

When dealing with inheritance issues, my elder brother and sister-in-law showed great magnanimity.

Abstract noun 'dadu'.

8

哥嫂的一生都在为家族的兴旺而奔波劳碌。

My elder brother and sister-in-law have spent their whole lives working hard for the prosperity of the family.

Continuous state 'zai... benbo'.

1

纵观中国家族史，哥嫂的角色往往是维系宗族稳定的核心纽带。

Looking throughout Chinese family history, the role of the elder brother and sister-in-law is often the core bond maintaining clan stability.

Formal introductory phrase 'zongguan'.

2

哥嫂这种称谓背后，承载着厚重的封建伦理与血缘情感。

Behind the title 'gēsǎo' lies heavy feudal ethics and blood-related emotions.

Abstract verb 'chengzai'.

3

在当代文学作品中，哥嫂的形象常常被赋予了更多的悲剧色彩或批判意义。

In contemporary literary works, the image of the elder brother and sister-in-law is often endowed with more tragic colors or critical significance.

Passive voice 'bei... fuyu'.

4

哥嫂对传统习俗的坚守，在某种程度上是对现代性冲击的一种无声抵抗。

The adherence of the elder brother and sister-in-law to traditional customs is, to some extent, a silent resistance to the impact of modernity.

Complex philosophical structure.

5

即便是在法律意识日益增强的今天，哥嫂在家族内部的调解作用依然不可替代。

Even today, as legal awareness grows, the mediation role of the elder brother and sister-in-law within the family remains irreplaceable.

Concession 'jibian... yiran'.

6

哥嫂的情感纠葛，往往成为了透视整个家族兴衰的一面镜子。

The emotional entanglements of the elder brother and sister-in-law often become a mirror through which the rise and fall of the entire family can be seen.

Metaphorical analysis.

7

从社会学角度看，哥嫂的关系结构是研究中国乡土社会最基础的样本之一。

From a sociological perspective, the relationship structure of the elder brother and sister-in-law is one of the most basic samples for studying Chinese rural society.

Academic framing.

8

哥嫂的自我牺牲，构成了中国式家庭温情中最沉重也最动人的篇章。

The self-sacrifice of the elder brother and sister-in-law constitutes the heaviest and most moving chapter of Chinese-style family warmth.

Superlative and emotive language.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

哥嫂家
哥嫂俩
孝敬哥嫂
跟哥嫂商量
哥嫂的照顾
哥嫂的意见
哥嫂的礼物
见哥嫂
哥嫂的孩子
哥嫂的工资

सामान्य वाक्यांश

哥嫂如父母

回哥嫂那儿

哥嫂一家

哥嫂送行

瞒着哥嫂

托付给哥嫂

哥嫂的面子

投奔哥嫂

哥嫂的期望

帮哥嫂忙

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"长兄如父，长嫂如母"

The eldest brother is like a father, and the eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. It emphasizes their role in raising younger siblings.

父母走得早，他一直践行着长兄如父，长嫂如母的责任。

Formal/Proverb

"兄友弟恭"

Older brothers are kind and younger brothers are respectful. Describes ideal sibling relationships including the wives.

他们家真正做到了兄友弟恭，哥嫂和弟妹相处得很好。

Literary

"阖家团圆"

The whole family reunites. Often involves the '哥嫂' returning home.

中秋佳节，哥嫂也回来了，真是阖家团圆。

Idiomatic

"相敬如宾"

To treat each other with respect like guests. Often used to describe the '哥嫂''s marriage.

哥嫂结婚多年，依然相敬如宾。

Idiomatic

"同舟共济"

To cross a river in the same boat; to help each other in times of trouble. Often used for family units.

家里遇到困难，哥嫂和我们同舟共济。

Idiomatic

"举案齐眉"

To lift the tray level with the brows. A sign of extreme respect between husband and wife (the 哥嫂).

哥嫂举案齐眉，是邻里间的模范夫妻。

Literary

"夫唱妇随"

The husband sings and the wife follows. Describes a harmonious couple like the 哥嫂.

哥嫂一向是夫唱妇随，很少有分歧。

Idiomatic

"琴瑟和谐"

Harmonious like the lute and zither. Used for a happy married couple.

祝愿哥嫂琴瑟和谐，白头偕老。

Formal/Wishes

"白头偕老"

To live together until the hair turns white. A common blessing for a couple.

全家人都祝哥嫂白头偕老。

Idiomatic

"和睦相处"

To live in harmony. Describes the relationship between the speaker and the 哥嫂.

我和哥嫂一直和睦相处。

Common
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