dì

娣

Character · Noun

archaic: younger brother's wife; younger sister

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 4 examples
1.

noun

archaic: younger brother's wife (to elder brother's wife)

archaic

In ancient Chinese kinship terms, specifically used between sisters-in-law. The elder brother's wife is called 姒 (sì), while the younger brother's wife is called 娣 (dì). Together, 娣姒 means 'sisters-in-law' (wives of brothers).

Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
 ，
tā她
yǔ与
zhàng丈
fu夫
de的
sǎo嫂
zi子
shì是
dì娣
sì姒
guān关
xì系
 。

In ancient times, she and her husband's elder brother's wife were sisters-in-law (dì-sì relationship).

Dì娣
sì姒
hé和
mù睦
 ，
jiā家
zú族
xīng兴
wàng旺
 。

When sisters-in-law are harmonious, the family prospers.

2.

noun

archaic: younger sister (to elder sister)

archaic

An archaic term for a younger sister when addressed by her elder sister. This usage is very rare in modern Chinese.

Jiě姐
jie姐
zài在
xìn信
zhōng中
qīn亲
qiè切
dì地
chēng称
tā她
wéi为
 “
wú吾
dì娣
 ”
 。

In the letter, the elder sister affectionately called her 'my younger sister' (wú dì).

3.

noun

(Dì) a surname

neutral

A rare Chinese surname.

Zhè这
wèi位
jiào教
shòu授
xìng姓
Dì娣
 。

This professor's surname is Dì.