Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 兄弟兄弟姉妹 | kyōdai | |
| 同胞 | dōhō | [do̞ːho̞ː] (narrow) |
To refer to a person who shares the same parents, the most common term used in daily conversation is 兄弟. While this word is used as a gender-neutral term for siblings in most casual and standard contexts, it specifically refers to the concept of siblings in general.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 兄弟 is composed of the characters for 'older brother' (兄) and 'younger brother' (弟), literally translating to 'older brother and younger brother'.
Which one should you use?
兄弟 is the standard, common way to express the idea of siblings. In contrast, 同胞 is a much more specific and formal term that often carries the connotation of a 'compatriot' or 'fellow countryman' rather than just biological siblings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
兄弟 is the most common way to say 'siblings' in daily conversation. On the other hand, 同胞 is a highly formal term. When referring to specific family members informally, you might use 兄さん for an older brother or 姉さん for an older sister.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, 兄弟 is used as a gender-neutral term for siblings in most casual and standard contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
kyōdai
Did you know?
- While 兄弟 is used for 'siblings' in general, a speaker will often be asked 何人兄弟ですか ('How many siblings?'), to which they answer the total number including themselves.
- The term 同胞 literally means 'same womb', reflecting a biological connection that extends beyond the nuclear family to a shared national identity.
- When talking about their own siblings to others, Japanese speakers often use the humble term 兄 or 弟 without honorifics, regardless of the sibling's age.
Examples in context
- 彼は3人兄弟の長男です。He is the eldest son among three siblings.
- 私の妹はとてもかわいいです。My younger sister is very cute.
- 私の姉は料理上手です。My older sister is good at cooking.
- 妹さんは明るい性格ですね。Your younger sister has a bright personality, doesn't she?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sibling” translations and entries 同胞, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
