哥

gē

Frequency#804

Definitions

gē (noun) elder brother

Etymology

Duplicate of 可, which has a similar sound. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character 哥, constructed from a duplication of the component 可, initially represented the idea of singing or a song, a meaning observable in its phonetic relationship to the character 歌. Its formation is based on sound rather than meaning, with the two 可 units serving a phonetic function. Over time, the term's application moved from the musical domain to that of kinship, beginning around the Tang dynasty when it was adopted in vernacular speech as a form of address for an elder male sibling. This familial sense progressively became the character's central meaning, entirely replacing its earlier musical reference in modern usage.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他是我的哥哥。

Tā shì wǒ de gēge.

He is my older brother.

哥哥喜欢看电影。

Gēge xǐhuān kàn diànyǐng.

Older brother likes watching movies.

我哥哥今天去学校。

Wǒ gēge jīntiān qù xuéxiào.

My older brother goes to school today.

大哥从北京回来了。

Dàgē cóng Běijīng huílái le.

Big brother has returned from Beijing.

哥哥经常帮助我学习。

Gēge jīngcháng bāngzhù wǒ xuéxí.

Older brother often helps me with my studies.

我哥哥和他的朋友一起去旅行。

Wǒ gēge hé tā de péngyou yīqǐ qù lǚxíng.

My older brother and his friends go traveling together.

大哥在跨国公司担任高级经理。

Dàgē zài kuàguó gōngsī dānrèn gāojí jīnglǐ.

Big brother works as a senior manager in a multinational company.

虽然哥哥很忙，但他还是抽时间陪我。

Suīrán gēge hěn máng, dàn tā háishì chōu shíjiān péi wǒ.

Although older brother is very busy, he still makes time to accompany me.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 可

哥