dai6悌

Jyutpingdai6

Yaledaih

Definition

To do one's duty as a younger brother; to show filial piety towards one's elder brothers.

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How it's used

This term is almost exclusively encountered in the context of the Confucian concept of 孝悌, referring to the duty of younger siblings to respect and obey their older siblings. It is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese, as it carries a formal or literary weight that feels out of place in casual conversation. Most speakers would use more common phrases like 尊重 or 聽話 to describe the same behavior.

Examples

zou6做sai3細lou2佬jiu3要sik1識dak1得dai6悌，m4唔hou2好seng4成jat6日bok3駁zeoi2嘴。

As a younger brother, you should know how to respect your elders and not talk back all the time.

keoi5佢deoi3對zyu6住go4哥go1哥hou2好jau5有dai6悌，cung4從loi4來dou1都hou2好teng1聽waa6話。

He is very respectful towards his older brother and has always been obedient.

Common phrases

haau3孝dai6悌

filial piety and fraternal respect

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 弟, which is the noun for younger brother. Using 悌 as a verb in everyday speech will sound extremely archaic or like you are reciting a classical text.