弟
tì
variant of 悌[ti4]
a picture of 弟 → younger brother, brotherly deference
弟 originally depicted a cord wound around a post in ranked order, giving the sense of younger siblings following in sequence. In this variant usage (tì), it carries the meaning of brotherly respect — the same character extended to convey the virtue of deferring to elders.
他从小学会了孝弟之道。
tā cóng xiǎo xué huì le xiào tì zhī dào。
He learned the way of filial piety and respect for elders from a young age.
古人认为孝弟是做人的根本。
gǔ rén rèn wéi xiào tì shì zuò rén de gēn běn。
People in ancient times believed that filial piety and brotherly respect were the foundation of being a good person.
Words with 弟
弟弟
dì di
younger brother
纨绔子弟
wán kù zǐ dì
hedonistic son of rich parents
师弟
shī dì
young disciple (of the same master)
关门弟子
guān mén dì zǐ
last disciple of a master
阿弟
ā dì
younger brother
双生兄弟
shuāng shēng xiōng dì
twin brothers
难兄难弟
nán xiōng nán dì
lit. hard to differentiate between elder and younger brother (idiom)
难兄难弟
nàn xiōng nàn dì
brothers in hardship (idiom)
雷曼兄弟
léi màn xiōng dì
Lehman Brothers, investment bank
仁弟
rén dì
(honorific written address to younger man) My dear young friend
令弟
lìng dì
honorable little brother
兄弟
xiōng dì
brothers