hing1 dai6 ze2 mui6兄弟姐妹
Jyutpinghing1 dai6 ze2 mui6
Yalehīng daih jé muih
Definition
Brothers and sisters; siblings.
neutralfamily
How it's used
While this term covers all siblings, Cantonese speakers often prefer referring to specific roles like 阿哥, 細佬, 家姐, or 細妹 in casual conversation. Using the collective term feels slightly more formal or descriptive, similar to how one might introduce family members to a stranger or fill out a form.
Examples
How many brothers and sisters do you have in your family?
I have a very deep bond with my brothers and sisters.
Related words
Common phrases
siblings by blood
Common mistake
Avoid using this term when addressing your own siblings directly, as it sounds clinical and unnatural. Always use the specific kinship title appropriate for their age and gender relative to you.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
