次女
jijo
The English phrase "middle sister" translates to Japanese as 次女 (jijo).
次女 refers to the second-born daughter in a family. In casual conversation, a person is more likely to use their name or a descriptive phrase rather than the formal term 次女 to refer to their sister.
How do you pronounce it?
jijo
Did you know?
- In traditional family registries called koseki, the birth order of daughters is strictly recorded using terms like 次女, which creates a permanent legal identity based on their sequence of birth.
- While 次女 is the technical term, a Japanese person might call their middle sister 姉 (older sister) or 妹 (younger sister) depending on who is speaking, as the language prioritizes relative age over birth order position.
- The character 次 in 次女 also means 'next' or '次ぐ' (to follow), which is the same root used in the word '次世代' (next generation).
Examples in context
- 彼女は三姉妹の次女です。Kanojo wa sanshimai no jijo desu.She is the middle sister of three sisters.
- 私は長女ではなく次女です。Watashi wa chōjo dewa naku jijo desu.I am not the eldest daughter, but the middle sister.
- 次女として育ちました。Jijo toshite sodachimashita.I was raised as the middle sister.
Example conversation
Two acquaintances are talking about their family structures at a cafe.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さんは兄弟の中で何番目ですか？Yui-san wa kyōdai no naka de nanbanme desu ka?Yui, which position are you in your siblings?
- 結衣 Yui私は次女です。Watashi wa jijo desu.I am the middle sister.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうなんですね。お兄さんがいるんですか？Sō nan desu ne. Oniisan ga irun desu ka?I see. Do you have an older brother?
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ、姉と妹がいます。Iie, ane to imouto ga imasu.No, I have an older sister and a younger sister.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 次女, CC BY-SA 4.0.
