mèimei: 妹妹 - Younger Sister, Little Sister

• Keywords: 妹妹, mèimei, Chinese for younger sister, little sister in Chinese, Chinese family terms, meaning of meimei, how to say sister in Chinese, learn Chinese, HSK 1 vocabulary
• Summary: Discover the full meaning of 妹妹 (mèimei), the Chinese word for “younger sister” or “little sister.” This guide goes beyond a simple translation, exploring how 妹妹 (mèimei) is a cornerstone of Chinese family terms and a common term of endearment for younger female friends. Learn its cultural significance, practical usage in conversation, and how to avoid common mistakes, complete with 10 example sentences for beginner learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): mèimei
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: A biological younger sister; a term of address for a younger female.
• In a Nutshell: 妹妹 (mèimei) is the specific word for a “younger sister.” Unlike the general English word “sister,” Chinese requires you to specify if the sibling is older or younger. Beyond family, 妹妹 (mèimei) is also a friendly and common way to refer to a close female friend who is younger than you, or sometimes even a young girl you've just met, creating a feeling of closeness and care.

• 妹 (mèi): This character is a combination of two parts. On the left is 女 (nǚ), the radical for “woman” or “female.” On the right is 未 (wèi), which means “not yet” or “not.” You can think of a 妹 (mèi) as a female who is “not yet” as old as you, helping you remember it means “younger sister.”
• The character is duplicated to create the common two-syllable word 妹妹 (mèimei). The second 妹 is pronounced with a neutral tone, which is typical for kinship terms and other familiar nouns in Mandarin.

In Chinese culture, family structure is paramount, and language reflects this social hierarchy. The distinction between older and younger siblings is not just a detail—it's fundamental. Using 妹妹 (mèimei) for a younger sister and 姐姐 (jiějiě) for an older sister defines the relationship and the expected roles: the older sibling is often expected to be a role model and protector, while the younger sibling is to be cared for and guided. This contrasts sharply with Western culture, where “sister” is a generic term. If an American says, “I'm going out with my sister,” no age relation is implied. In China, you would have to say whether you are going out with your 姐姐 (jiějiě) or your 妹妹 (mèimei). This specificity is a direct reflection of Confucian values that emphasize a clear social order and appropriate respect based on age and status, even within the family. Extending the term 妹妹 (mèimei) to non-relatives is also culturally significant. It's a way of pulling someone into a closer, more familial circle. Calling a younger female friend or colleague 妹妹 (mèimei) builds an instant, informal bond of pseudo-kinship, implying a caring, protective relationship similar to that of real siblings.

妹妹 (mèimei) is an extremely common word used in various contexts, from family life to casual social interactions.

• In the Family: This is the most direct and common usage. It refers to your biological younger sister. You can say 我的妹妹 (wǒ de mèimei) for “my younger sister” or, more casually in conversation, drop the 的 (de) and just say 我妹妹 (wǒ mèimei).
• With Friends: It's very common to call a close female friend who is younger than you 妹妹 (mèimei). This is a term of endearment and signifies a strong, caring friendship. It's often used with their surname, like 王妹妹 (Wáng mèimei).
• Addressing Strangers: You might hear people addressing a young girl or a very young woman (e.g., a waitress, a student) as 妹妹 (mèimei). This is generally seen as friendly and avuncular, but it's best for learners to be cautious. It can sometimes sound a bit patronizing depending on the tone and context.
• On Social Media: The term is widely used online as a friendly and informal way to refer to younger female users, especially in comments or live-streaming chats.

• Example 1:
  • 这是我的妹妹。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒ de mèimei.
  • English: This is my younger sister.
  • Analysis: A simple, direct introduction. This is one of the first sentences a beginner will learn.
• Example 2:
  • 我妹妹今年上大学。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ mèimei jīnnián shàng dàxué.
  • English: My younger sister is starting college this year.
  • Analysis: Note the casual omission of 的 (de) after 我 (wǒ), which is very common in spoken Chinese when discussing close family.
• Example 3:
  • 你有妹妹吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu mèimei ma?
  • English: Do you have a younger sister?
  • Analysis: A standard question using the question particle 吗 (ma). A “yes” answer would require specifying the number of younger sisters.
• Example 4:
  • 我比我妹妹大三岁。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bǐ wǒ mèimei dà sān suì.
  • English: I am three years older than my younger sister.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the 比 (bǐ) structure for comparison, a fundamental grammar point.
• Example 5:
  • 李妹妹，这个文件需要你签字。
  • Pinyin: Lǐ mèimei, zhège wénjiàn xūyào nǐ qiānzì.
  • English: Little sister Li, this document needs your signature.
  • Analysis: An example of using 妹妹 in an informal workplace or group setting with a surname. It implies a friendly, casual relationship with a younger female colleague.
• Example 6:
  • 妹妹，别担心，哥哥会帮你的。
  • Pinyin: Mèimei, bié dānxīn, gēge huì bāng nǐ de.
  • English: Little sister, don't worry, your big brother will help you.
  • Analysis: Here, 妹妹 is used as a direct term of address to a non-relative, creating a protective and caring tone. The speaker refers to himself as 哥哥 (gēge), or “older brother,” to reinforce this dynamic.
• Example 7:
  • 她是我最好的朋友，就像我的亲妹妹一样。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì wǒ zuì hǎo de péngyǒu, jiù xiàng wǒ de qīn mèimei yīyàng.
  • English: She is my best friend, just like a real (biological) younger sister to me.
  • Analysis: The phrase 亲 (qīn) means “blood-related.” Adding it emphasizes the depth of the friendship, comparing it to a true sibling bond.
• Example 8:
  • 我妹老是借我的车。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ mèi lǎoshi jiè wǒ de chē.
  • English: My younger sister is always borrowing my car.
  • Analysis: In very casual speech, 妹妹 (mèimei) is often shortened to just 妹 (mèi). 老是 (lǎoshi) is a colloquial way to say “always.”
• Example 9:
  • 这位小妹妹，你找不到妈妈了吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi xiǎo mèimei, nǐ zhǎo bu dào māma le ma?
  • English: Little girl (lit: this little younger sister), can't you find your mom?
  • Analysis: Here, 小 (xiǎo) is added to make it “little younger sister,” a common and gentle way to address a lost young girl.
• Example 10:
  • 我有两个姐妹，一个姐姐，一个妹妹。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǒu liǎng ge jiěmèi, yī ge jiějiě, yī ge mèimei.
  • English: I have two sisters: one older sister and one younger sister.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the need for specificity. You first use the general term 姐妹 (jiěmèi - sisters), and then immediately clarify the age relationship.

• Mistake: Confusing 妹妹 (mèimei) with 姐姐 (jiějiě).
  • This is the most critical mistake. Never use 妹妹 (mèimei) to refer to an older sister. Age hierarchy is fundamental in Chinese. Using the wrong term is not just incorrect; it can be seen as disrespectful.
  • Incorrect: 她是我的妹妹。她比我大。(She is my younger sister. She is older than me.) → This is a direct contradiction.
  • Correct: 她是我的姐姐。她比我大。(She is my older sister. She is older than me.)
• Mistake: Thinking “sister” is a direct translation.
  • English speakers often ask “How do you say 'sister' in Chinese?” There is no single word. You *must* know if she is older (姐姐, jiějiě) or younger (妹妹, mèimei). If you have multiple sisters, you must specify how many of each (e.g., “two older sisters and one younger sister”). The collective noun is 姐妹 (jiěmèi).
• Pitfall: Overusing it with strangers.
  • While calling a young waitress “妹妹” can be friendly, it can also come across as overly familiar or even condescending if your age or status doesn't warrant it. As a foreigner, it's often safer to use more neutral terms like 美女 (měinǚ - beautiful girl, a common and casual way to get a young woman's attention) or simply 服务员 (fúwùyuán - waiter/waitress).

• 姐姐 (jiějiě) - The direct counterpart: “older sister.”
• 哥哥 (gēge) - Older brother.
• 弟弟 (dìdi) - Younger brother.
• 姐妹 (jiěmèi) - The collective noun for “sisters” (both older and younger).
• 兄弟姐妹 (xiōngdì jiěmèi) - The all-encompassing term for “siblings.”
• 家人 (jiārén) - Family; family members. A broader term for your whole family.
• 表妹 (biǎomèi) - A younger female cousin on your mother's side, or on your father's side if they have a different surname.
• 堂妹 (tángmèi) - A younger female cousin on your father's side who shares the same surname.
• 小妹 (xiǎo mèi) - A more affectionate or diminutive term for “little sister,” often used for the youngest sister in the family.