弟
[o̞to̞ːto̞]
In Japanese, "my younger brother" is expressed as 弟.
The term 弟 refers to a male sibling born after the speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual settings, you can use the phrase otōto ga imasu to express that you have a younger brother.
Did you know?
- The word 弟 is used in the term 弟子 to mean 'disciple' or 'apprentice'. This frames the relationship between a teacher and a student as that of an older and younger brother.
- When introducing your family to others, you use 弟 to show humility. By using the plain form for your own family members, you are linguistically lowering your family's status to show respect to the person you are speaking to.
- While you use 弟 to refer to your own younger brother, you would almost never use this word to address him directly. Even in a close family, calling him by his name or a nickname is much more common than using his title.
Examples in context
- 弟見なかった？Did you see my younger brother?This sentence is useful for asking if someone saw your 弟.Tatoeba #10023271 by small_snow, translation #10023115 by Cabo
- 弟が描きました。My younger brother drew it.This sentence is useful for stating that your 弟 drew something.Tatoeba #125466 by KK_kaku_, translation #10768092 by end
- 彼は私の弟です。He's my younger brother.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as your 弟.Tatoeba #511851 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #511852 by CK
- 私の弟はとても頭が良いです。My younger brother is very intelligent.
- 44 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their families while having coffee.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんの弟さんは、大学生ですか？Ren-san no otoutosan wa, daigakusei desu ka?Is your younger brother a college student, Ren?
- 蓮 Renはい、私の弟は来年から大学生になります。Hai, watashi no otouto wa rainen kara daigakusei ni narimasu.Yes, my younger brother will become a college student next year.
- 陽葵 Himariそうなんですね。元気そうですし！Sou nan desu ne. Genki sou desu shi!I see. He seems very energetic!
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます。陽葵さんも弟さんがいますか？Arigatou gozaimasu. Himari-san mo otoutosan ga imasu ka?Thank you. Do you have a younger brother too, Himari?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 弟, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
