Meaning and Usage
The word '형제' refers to siblings, including both brothers and sisters. It is a neutral term used in formal and informal contexts to talk about one's brothers and sisters collectively.
Common Contexts
'형제' is often used when discussing family relationships, inheritance, or social roles within a family. It can also appear in expressions emphasizing solidarity or mutual support among siblings.
Collocations and Patterns
- 형제 중에서 (among siblings): Used to specify a particular sibling in the group, e.g., 막내 형제 (youngest sibling).
- 형제끼리 (among brothers and sisters): Emphasizes mutual actions or relationships within siblings.
- 형제들과 함께 (together with siblings): Indicates living or doing something with siblings.
Usage Notes
While '형제' includes both brothers and sisters, sometimes people use '형제자매' to explicitly include sisters. Learners should note that '형제' alone can imply brothers only in some contexts, but generally it means siblings.
Avoid confusing '형제' with '형' (older brother) or '제' (younger sibling), which refer to specific siblings rather than the group.