Definition

1. Noun:
   • Younger biological sibling: Refers specifically to one's own younger brother or younger sister who shares both biological parents with the speaker. It denotes a direct, full-blood sibling relationship, distinguishing it from half-siblings, step-siblings, or cousins.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tôi có một em ruột. (I have one younger biological sibling.)
  • Cô ấy là em ruột của anh ấy. (She is his younger biological sister.)
  • Họ là anh em ruột. (They are biological brothers [one older, one younger].)

Advanced Usage

• "em ruột" vs. "em họ": "Em ruột" specifies a full biological sibling, while "em họ" means a younger cousin.

  • Đây là em ruột tôi, không phải em họ. (This is my younger biological sibling, not my cousin.)

• "em ruột" vs. "em cùng cha khác mẹ" / "em cùng mẹ khác cha": "Em ruột" implies sharing both parents, unlike half-siblings.

  • Chúng tôi là chị em ruột, cùng cha cùng mẹ. (We are biological sisters, sharing the same father and mother.)

Variants and Related Words

• Anh ruột (n): Older biological brother.
• Chị ruột (n): Older biological sister.
• Em (n): A general term for a younger person or sibling; context determines if it means a biological sibling, a cousin, or a polite form of address.

Synonyms

• Em trai ruột / Em gái ruột: Younger biological brother / Younger biological sister. These are more specific gendered forms of "em ruột".
• Sibling (English equivalent in a general sense, though "em ruột" is more specific to younger full siblings).

Notes on Meaning

• The word "ruột" (intestines, innards) is used metaphorically to mean "of one's own flesh and blood" or "biological". Therefore, "em ruột" strictly means a full-blooded younger sibling.
• In Vietnamese family terminology, this term is crucial for clarifying exact familial relationships within the complex kinship system.