Meaning and Usage
The word 姐妹 (jiěmèi) literally means 'elder sister and younger sister' and is commonly used to refer to female siblings. Beyond the literal family relationship, it is also frequently used to describe close female friends who share a sister-like bond.
Common Contexts
- Family: Refers to biological or legal sisters.
- Friendship: Used to express a deep, sisterly friendship between women.
Collocations and Patterns
- 两个姐妹 (liǎng gè jiěmèi): two sisters
- 姐妹情深 (jiěmèi qíng shēn): deep sisterly affection
- 像姐妹一样 (xiàng jiěmèi yíyàng): like sisters
Nuances
When used outside family contexts, 姐妹 implies a strong emotional connection and mutual support, often highlighting loyalty and closeness. It is a warm and affectionate term.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse 姐妹 with 兄弟 (xiōngdì), which means brothers or male siblings. Also, 姐妹 specifically refers to females, so it is not used for mixed-gender sibling groups.