‘昆仲’ is a formal, literary term meaning ‘brothers’, especially emphasizing the elder-younger sibling relationship. The character 昆 originally meant ‘many’ or ‘together’, and in classical usage came to signify ‘elder brother’; 仲 means ‘second’ or ‘middle’, and historically refers specifically to the second-born son in a family. Together, 昆仲 functions as a respectful, elegant compound used to address or refer to two or more brothers collectively—often in writing, formal speeches, or ceremonial contexts.

This term carries strong connotations of Confucian familial hierarchy and scholarly refinement. It is rarely used in casual conversation; instead, it appears in letters, official documents, epitaphs, or literary works where elevated diction is expected. While it literally evokes the order of birth, modern usage often treats it as a polite, somewhat archaic synonym for ‘brothers’ without strict attention to birth order—though the implied respect and formality remain essential.