Definitions

mèi (noun) younger sister

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

is a phono-semantic compound: on the left gives the meaning category of a female relative, and on the right provides the sound. originally depicted a tree with new branches, meaning "not yet" or "incomplete", which suits the core sense of a younger sister, a sibling who is not yet fully grown or younger than oneself. The character has consistently referred to a younger sister or female cousin of the same generation, and its structure remains identical in both traditional and simplified script.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的很可爱。

Wǒ de mèimei hěn kě'ài.

My younger sister is very cute.

喜欢唱歌。

Mèimei xǐhuān chànggē.

My younger sister likes singing.

我和去公园。

Wǒ hé mèimei qù gōngyuán.

I am going to the park with my younger sister.

的学校很近。

Mèimei de xuéxiào hěn jìn.

My younger sister's school is very close.

我教做作业。

Wǒ jiāo mèimei zuò zuòyè.

I teach my younger sister to do homework.

虽然小,但很懂事。

Mèimei suīrán xiǎo, dàn hěn dǒngshì.

Although my younger sister is young, she is very sensible.

妈妈给买了一件新衣服。

Māma gěi mèimei mǎi le yī jiàn xīn yīfu.

Mom bought a new piece of clothing for my younger sister.

每当难过时,我都会安慰她。

Měi dāng mèimei nánguò shí, wǒ dōu huì ānwèi tā.

Whenever my younger sister feels sad, I always comfort her.