兄がいます
ani ga imasu
The English phrase "I have an older brother" is translated into Japanese as 兄がいます (ani ga imasu).
This phrase is used to inform someone that you have a brother who is older than you. When referring to yourself in Japanese, you might use the neutral pronoun watashi, which is used by both men and women. In very formal contexts, a man may use watakushi instead of watashi.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 兄 (ani) specifically refers to one's own older brother. The particle が (ga) marks the older brother as the subject that exists.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between talking about your own family and someone else's.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 兄がいます (ani ga imasu) is a polite, standard way to state this fact in everyday conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, the term for "older brother" is commonly expressed as ane instead of ani.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle が (ga) is used here to mark the older brother as the subject of the sentence that exists.
How do you pronounce it?
ani ga imasu
Did you know?
- The verb います (imasu) is used here because it is reserved specifically for living things, while a different verb, あります (arimasu), is used for inanimate objects.
- While you use 兄 (ani) to talk about your own brother to others, you would almost never use it to call out to him directly. To get his attention, you would typically use his name or the more respectful お兄さん (oniisan).
- The term 兄 (ani) is a 'humble' word, meaning it is designed to lower your own family's status when speaking to someone outside your circle. If you were talking about someone else's older brother, you would have to switch to a different, more respectful term.
Examples in context
- 京都に住んでる兄がいます。I have an older brother who lives in Kyoto.This sentence shows how to mention an older brother's location.Tatoeba #10287762 by small_snow, translation #1078059 by keira_n
- あなたと同い年の兄がいます。I have an older brother who's the same age as you.This sentence is useful for describing an older brother's age in relation to the listener.Tatoeba #9026137 by small_snow, translation #1345223 by CK
- 兄がいます。I have an older brother.This is a simple way to state that you have an older brother.Tatoeba #176635 by Ianagisacos, translation #237828 by CK
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about their families at school.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは、兄弟がいますか？Youta-san wa, kyoudai ga imasu ka?Yota, do you have any siblings?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、一人で兄がいます。Hai, hitori de ani ga imasu.Yes, I have one older brother.
- 美咲 Misakiそうなんですね。お兄さんは学生ですか？Sou nan desu ne. Onii-san wa gakusei desu ka?I see. Is your brother a student?
- 陽太 Yotaいいえ、もう働いています。Iie, mou hataraite imasu.No, he is already working.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
