[ **up: [[Chinese language--Honorifics]]** ] --- # 哥 vs 哥哥 - TL;DR: 哥 on its own is slightly more casual than 哥哥. --- > 1. “哥哥” is the more standard and formal term for older brother. It’s used in general conversations, especially when clarity is important or when speaking respectfully. For example, when introducing your older brother to someone else, you might use “哥哥”. > 2. “哥” is a shorter, more colloquial term. It can convey a sense of closeness or familiarity. It’s often used in casual conversation, particularly among peers or within the family when referring to one’s own older brother. However, “哥” can also be used as a respectful address for a man slightly older than the speaker, not necessarily related, indicating a friendly or brotherly respect.[^1] --- > As an adult, you can still call your brother or male cousin 哥哥 and that is not a problem. In fact, many people use both 哥 and 哥哥. It just depends on which they feel like to use at the moment. Generally speaking, 哥 also shows that you are a little bit closer to each other. > > \[…] > > \[That said,] these days, 哥 and 姐 have been widely used. For example, sales people may call their potential customers 哥 or 姐。 [^2] --- - *See also:* [[Gē 哥 (Chinese honorific)]]; [[Gēge 哥哥 (Chinese honorific)]] [^1]: Bruce Zhang \[pseud.], ‘In Mandarin Chinese, both “哥” and “哥哥” refer to an older brother. The primary difference between the two lies in the degree of formality and affection, as well as usage context’, *Chinese Language* (Stack Exchange), 12 March 2024, https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/21433/difference-between-%E5%93%A5-and-%E5%93%A5%E5%93%A5. [^2]: maestro \[pseud.], ‘哥哥 is more likely to be used by kids…’, *Chinese Language* (Stack Exchange), updated 14 October 2017, https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/21433/difference-between-%E5%93%A5-and-%E5%93%A5%E5%93%A5.