How to Say "Brothers" in Japanese

兄弟

kyōdai[kʲo̞ːda̠i]

In Japanese, the phrase for "brothers" is 兄弟 (kyōdai).

While 兄弟 literally refers to brothers, it is commonly used to mean "siblings" (brothers and sisters) in general contexts.

What does it mean word for word?

The word 兄弟 is composed of the characters for "older brother" (兄) and "younger brother" (弟).

兄弟 is a noun that does not change its form for plurality. The context or a counter determines if it refers to one or multiple people.

In many Japanese contexts, the term 兄弟 can be used to refer to 'brothers-in-arms' or extremely close male friends who are considered family.
In traditional Japanese family dynamics, the distinction between the 'older' and 'younger' brothers in 兄弟 implies a strict social hierarchy and set of expectations for each child.
When asking how many siblings someone has, a Japanese speaker uses 兄弟 even if they suspect the person has only sisters.

何人兄弟なの？
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Tatoeba #8791917 by small_snow, translation #63138 by CK
三人兄弟なの？
Are you three brothers?
Tatoeba #8816049 by bunbuku, translation #7538055 by CK
兄弟はいますか？
Do you have any brothers?
Tatoeba #8534731 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #71127 by CK
Watashi no ani wa totemo shinsetsu desu. (私の兄はとても親切です。)
My brother is very kind.
Aniki no tame ni watashi wa nihon e ikitai. (兄貴のために私は日本へ行きたい。)
I want to go to Japan for my older brother.
Kyoudai tachi wa itsumo issho ni asonde imasu. (兄弟たちはいつも一緒に遊んでいます。)
The siblings always play together.
Aniki, ashita mo ganbatte ne! (アニキ、明日も頑張ってね！)
Older brother, do your best tomorrow too!
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Hiyori and Kenta are talking about their families.

陽葵 Himari

健太さんは兄弟がいますか？
Kenta-san wa kyoudai ga imasu ka?
Do you have any brothers or sisters, Kenta?
健太 Kenta

はい、兄弟が二人います。
Hai, kyoudai ga futari imasu.
Yes, I have two siblings.
陽葵 Himari

そうなんですね。どちらが年上ですか？
Sou nan desu ne. Dochira ga toshiue desu ka?
I see. Which one is older?
健太 Kenta

兄が一人と弟が一人です。
Ani ga hitori to otouto ga hitori desu.
I have one older brother and one younger brother.

Sources

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