Level 1 · Unit 4 Family & People

How to Write 弟 (dì)

Meaning: "Younger Brother"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
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Detailed Mastery Guide for 弟

The character 弟 (Traditional: 弟) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Younger Brother". In our Level 1 curriculum, we focus on the 7-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.

Writing & Recognition

Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Family & People, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

弟弟 dìdi dai6 dai2
younger brother
弟子 dìzǐ dai6 zi2
disciple, student

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 弟 is built on the radical 弓 (gōng), #57. Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

Pictographic of a wooden spool with a cord wrapped around it, originally representing the concept of order or succession, later borrowed for younger brother.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 我有一个弟弟。

Wǒ yǒu yī gè dìdi.

Traditional: 我有一個弟弟。

ngo5 jau5 jat1 go3 dai6 dai2.

"I have a younger brother."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as dì. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is dai6. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.

Practice & Retention

To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.

Quick Self-Check

What is the meaning of '弟'?

A) younger brother
B) older sister
C) father
D) teacher

Other Characters in Level 1 Unit 4

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

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