妹がいます
imōto ga imasu
In Japanese, the phrase "I have a sister" is expressed as 妹がいます (imōto ga imasu).
This phrase is used specifically to state that you have a younger sister. If you wish to specify that you have exactly one sister, you can say imōto ga hito-ri imasu. To refer to yourself, the neutral term watashi can be used.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down as follows: 妹 (imōto) means younger sister, and the particle が (ga) acts as a subject marker to indicate that the sister is the one who exists. The verb います (imasu) means to exist or to have, and it is specifically used for the existence of living things like people or animals.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For casual conversations with friends or family, you can use the informal dictionary form 妹がいる (imōto ga iru).
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle が (ga) is used to mark the sister as the subject of the sentence. The verb います (imasu) is the polite form of the verb used to indicate the existence of living beings.
How do you pronounce it?
imōto ga imasu
Did you know?
- The concept of 'having' in this phrase is actually a statement of 'existence'. While English speakers say they 'possess' a sister, the Japanese います literally translates to 'a younger sister exists'.
- In Japanese culture, it is common to refer to your own sister as 妹 when talking to outsiders, but you would never call your own sister 妹 when speaking directly to her.
- In Japanese, family terms change based on who you are talking to. While you use imōto to talk about your own sister, you would never call someone else's younger sister by that name, instead using more respectful terms like imōto-san.
Examples in context
- 妹がいます。Imōto ga imasu.I have a younger sister.
- 実は、妹がいます。Jitsu wa, imōto ga imasu.Actually, I have a younger sister.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their families.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵さんは、兄弟がいますか？Himari-san wa, kyoudai ga imasu ka?Himari, do you have any siblings?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、妹がいます。Hai, imouto ga imasu.Yes, I have a younger sister.
- 陽太 Yotaそうなんですね。仲はいいですか？Sou nan desu ne. Naka wa ii desu ka?I see. Do you get along well?
- 陽葵 Himariとても仲がいいです。Totemo naka ga ii desu.We get along very well.
