兄弟がいます
Kyōdai ga imasu
The Japanese phrase for "I have a brother" is 兄弟がいます (Kyōdai ga imasu).
The phrase is used to state that you have a male sibling. It is important to note that the term 兄弟 (kyōdai) is a general term for siblings and can refer to both brothers and sisters. If you wish to specify a younger brother, you would use the word 弟 (otōto).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 兄弟がいます is the standard polite way to state this fact. For informal situations, such as speaking with friends or family, you can use the dictionary form 兄弟がいる.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the particle が acts as a subject marker, marking the sibling as the subject that exists. The verb います is used because a brother is a living being.
How do you pronounce it?
Kyōdai ga imasu
What mistakes should you avoid?
When talking about a brother, do not use the inanimate verb あります. You must use the verb for living beings, います.
Did you know?
- Though 兄弟 is used for siblings, in certain contexts it can specifically mean 'blood brothers' or people bound by a deep, non-biological oath.
- Japanese has a specific word for the eldest brother, 長男 (chōnan), and the youngest, 末っ子 (suekko), which are frequently used instead of the general term 兄弟.
- In very formal settings, the word 兄弟 can be replaced with the more respectful term ご兄弟 when asking someone else about their family. Using the standard phrase for your own brother in a formal conversation about someone else's family could seem impolite.
Examples in context
- わたしには弟がおります。I have a younger brother.
- 私には兄がいる。I have an older brother.
- 弟がいるんだよ。I have a younger brother, you know.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are talking about their families.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは兄弟がいますか？Ren-san wa kyoudai ga imasu ka?Ren, do you have a brother?
- 蓮 Renはい、兄弟がいます。Hai, kyoudai ga imasu.Yes, I have a brother.
- 結衣 Yuiそうなんですね。Sou nan desu ne.I see.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さんは？Yui-san wa?How about you, Yui?
