Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

brothers and sisters

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
gloria_taipei



Joined: 17 Feb 2006
Posts: 56

PostPosted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 3:18 am    Post subject: brothers and sisters Reply with quote

In English, there are older brother, oldest brother, younger brother, and youngest brother.

In Chinese society, we call our brothers and sisters by the ranking, such as first, second, third...etc. Can we say "first brother", "second sister"...etc.? First means the oldest and second means the one after the oldest.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Mister Micawber



Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 774
Location: Yokohama

PostPosted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

.
I would stick with older, younger, etc.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
CP



Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 2875
Location: California

PostPosted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can also call the oldest child "the eldest child" and any sibling older than you "my elder brother / sister." Don't call him or her "elderly," though, as that is just another word for "old."

Then, of course, there will be the youngest child, also known as "the baby of the family" in some circles.

In old Charlie Chan movies, Charlie Chan, Chinese detective, is often assisted by a son or two, whom he calls Number One Son or Number Two Son, according to their birth order. Hollywood!
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group