こんにちは、お兄さん
konnichiwa, oniisan
The English phrase "hello big brother" is translated into Japanese as こんにちは、お兄さん (konnichiwa, oniisan).
This phrase is a greeting used to address an older brother or a slightly older male acquaintance. The term お兄さん (oniisan) can be used to address a male stranger who appears to be a young man, even if there is no biological relation.
Which one should you use?
While お兄さん (oniisan) is used to address or talk about an older brother politely, 兄 (ani) is the humble form used when speaking to someone outside the family about one's own brother.
How do you pronounce it?
konnichiwa, oniisan
Did you know?
- In certain traditional Japanese contexts, お兄さん (oniisan) can be used as a polite term for a male apprentice or a senior colleague in a craft or trade.
- In Japanese pop culture, such as anime, a character might use the much more masculine and rough 兄貴 (anikii) instead of お兄さん (oniisan) to show a 'tough' or 'brotherly' bond.
- While お兄さん (oniisan) is the polite form, a younger sibling might use the more casual お兄ちゃん (oniichan) to express affection and closeness.
Examples in context
- あ、こんにちは、お兄さん！元気だった？A, konnichiwa, oniisan! Genki datta?Ah, hello, big brother! Have you been well?
- こんにちは、お兄さん。ちょっといいですか？Konnichiwa, oniisan. Chotto ii desu ka?Hello, big brother. Do you have a moment?
Example conversation
Yui sees her brother Kenta in the hallway.
- 結衣 Yuiこんにちは、お兄さん。Konnichiwa, onīsan.Hello, big brother.
- 健太 Kentaやあ、結衣。どうしたの？Yā, Yui. Dō shita no?Hey, Yui. What's up?
- 結衣 Yuiお腹が空いたので、一緒にご飯に行きましょう。Onaka ga suita node, issho ni gohan ni ikimashō.I'm hungry, so let's go eat together.
- 健太 Kentaいいよ。行こうか。Ii yo. Ikō ka.Sure. Shall we go?
