弟 Stroke Order — How to Write 弟
弟 is written in 7 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 弓, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
弟 Radical and Character Components
Radical: 弓 + 4 more strokes
弟 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- dì
- tì
- tuí
Meanings of 弟 in Chinese
1
dì弟
younger brother; a male sibling younger than oneself
我的弟弟很喜欢踢足球。
My younger brother really likes playing football.
A younger male relative of the same generation, such as a younger male cousin (表弟 biǎodì for maternal side, 堂弟 tángdì for paternal side).
我的表弟今年考上了大学。
My younger cousin got into university this year.
A respectful term for a male peer who is younger or junior to oneself, like 'junior apprentice' or 'younger brother/pal'.
我的小师弟很聪明，学东西很快。
My junior apprentice is very smart and learns things quickly.
When pronounced 'dì', '弟' refers to a disciple or apprentice, often used by students addressing their teachers or others referring to a student in a master-apprentice relationship.
师傅，弟子已到。
Master, your disciple has arrived.
In archaic or literary contexts, '弟' can be used interchangeably with '第' to denote an ordinal number or sequence, meaning 'order' or 'the Xth'.
我们进入了比赛的弟二阶段。
We entered the second stage of the competition.
When pronounced 'dì', '弟' is typically found in the compound '次第' (cì dì), which means 'order', 'sequence', or 'one after another'. It conveys a sense of progression or arrangement, rather than marking an ordinal number directly like '第'.
请你按照文件上的次第，逐一核对信息。
Please check the information one by one according to the order on the document.
2
tì弟
Refers to fraternal duty, meaning respect and love towards one's older siblings, especially older brothers, often associated with filial piety.
他从小就懂得孝悌的道理，尊敬兄长。
From a young age, he understood the principles of filial piety and fraternal duty, respecting his older brothers.
3
tuí弟
When pronounced 'tuí', '弟' primarily appears in the phrase '弟靡' (tuí mí), meaning dejected, dispirited, or gentle and submissive.
他因长期失意，性格逐渐变得弟靡，不复往日雄心。
Due to prolonged disappointment, his character gradually became dispirited and subdued, no longer possessing his former ambition.
Common Words and Phrases with 弟
1
2
younger brother's wife
我的弟妇是一位非常善良的人，总是乐于助人。
My younger brother's wife is a very kind person, always willing to help others.
3
younger brother and sister; younger brother's wife
我的弟妹都很喜欢玩游戏。
My younger brother and sister both enjoy playing games.
4
younger brother's wife
我的弟媳非常勤劳，她把家里打理得井井有条
My younger brother's wife is very diligent; she keeps the house well-organized.
5
Brothers; also used as a term of address among male friends or comrades.
我们情同弟兄，互相扶持。
We are like brothers, supporting each other.
6
A disciple, follower, or pupil.
老教授的弟子们每年都会来看望他。
The old professor's disciples visit him every year.
More words with 弟
- tú徒dì弟An apprentice or disciple.
- biǎo表dì弟A younger male cousin.
- nèi内dì弟younger brother of one's wife
- shī师dì弟Junior fellow apprentice, Junior apprentice
- xiōng兄dì弟Brother, Bro
- ā阿dì弟Younger brother, Little brother
- lìng令dì弟your younger brother (honorific)
- nǚ女dì弟younger sister
- qī妻dì弟wife's younger brother
- rén仁dì弟Younger brother, Younger friend
- rú如dì弟A younger sworn brother.
- zǐ子dì弟children, youngsters
- zǐ子dì弟bīng兵the people's own soldiers, troops
- fó佛mén门dì弟zǐ子Followers of Buddhism; Buddhists.
- kūn昆dì弟elder and younger brothers
- méng盟xiōng兄dì弟sworn brother
- xiǎo小dì弟younger brother, junior
- táng堂dì弟Cousin, Younger male cousin
- bǎ把xiōng兄dì弟sworn brother, blood brother
- biǎo表xiōng兄dì弟cousin, male cousin
Idioms with 弟
- bài拜bǎ把xiōng兄dì弟sworn brothers
- chēng称xiōng兄dào道dì弟to be on intimate terms
- gāo膏yú腴zǐ子dì弟pampered scions of wealthy families
- gù故jiā家zǐ子dì弟scion of an old distinguished family
- jiǔ酒ròu肉xiōng兄dì弟fair-weather friends
- lí梨yuán园dì弟zǐ子traditional Chinese opera actors
- lí梨yuán园zǐ子dì弟traditional Chinese opera performers
- nán难xiōng兄nán难dì弟fellow sufferers or partners in adversity
- nǐ你xiōng兄wǒ我dì弟to be on intimate fraternal terms
- rú如xiōng兄rú如dì弟like brothers
- sī私shū淑dì弟zǐ子self-taught admirer
- wán纨kù绔zǐ子dì弟wealthy idle dissolute young man
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Open the tool →Questions about 弟
What does 弟 mean in Chinese?
弟 (dì) means “younger brother” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 弟?
弟 has 3 pronunciations: dì, tì, tuí.
How many strokes does 弟 have?
弟 has 7 strokes.
How do you write 弟?
弟 is written in 7 strokes, starting from the radical 弓. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 弟?
The radical of 弟 is 弓.