お姉ちゃん
onee-chananime, affectionate
Anime uses different words for older and younger sisters. An older sister is お姉ちゃん (onee-chan) or 姉さん (nee-san). A younger sister is 妹 (imōto). It is also called 姉 (ane).
Meaning: female sibling (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| お姉ちゃん | onee-chan | anime, affectionate |
| 姉 | ane | older sister, own |
| 妹 | imōto | younger sister, own |
When a character calls to an older sister, お姉ちゃん (onee-chan) is common. When talking about her to others, they say 姉 (ane). An older sister calls a younger one by name.
How does it change in a sentence?
Japanese has no single everyday word for "sister". The word depends on age, so you must pick older or younger.
Did you know?
- In anime お姉さん (onee-san) is also used for any kind young woman, not only for relatives.
Examples in context
- 姉は医者です。Ane wa isha desu.My older sister is a doctor.
- 妹はかわいい。Imōto wa kawaii.My younger sister is cute.
Example conversation
In an anime home scene, Kaho greets her older sister Miu.
- Kahoお姉ちゃん、ただいま。Onee-chan, tadaima.Big sister, I am home.
- Miuおかえり。ご飯できてるよ。Okaeri. Gohan dekiteru yo.Welcome home. Dinner is ready.
- Kahoやったー！Yattā!Yay!
