Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 姉妹 | shimai | [ɕima̠i] (narrow) | |
| 姉 | ane | [a̠ne̞] (narrow) | |
| お姉さん | onēsan | [o̞ne̞ːsã̠ɴ] (narrow) | |
| 妹 | imōto | [imo̞] (narrow) [imo̞ːto̞] (narrow) |
|
| シスター | shisutā | [ɕisɨ̥ta̠ː] (narrow) | colloquial, humorous, ironic |
The term for sister depends on whether you are referring to the general concept of sisters, a specific older sister or a specific younger sister. 姉妹 is used to refer to the concept of sisters or a group of sisters collectively. For individual siblings, Japanese distinguishes between older and younger sisters using 姉 (ane) and 妹 (imōto). The loanword シスター (shisutā) is also used, though it is typically colloquial, humorous or ironic and is not used for literal biological siblings.
Which one should you use?
姉妹 refers to sisters as a group or the concept of sisterhood. In contrast, 姉 refers specifically to an older sister, while 妹 refers specifically to a younger sister.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
When speaking about your own older sister to someone outside your family, use 姉 (ane) instead of the polite お姉さん (onēsan). Similarly, when speaking about your own younger sister to someone outside your family, use 妹 (imōto). お姉さん (onēsan) is a polite way to refer to someone else's older sister or to address an older sister directly. The form シスター (shisutā) is colloquial and often carries a humorous or ironic tone.
How do you pronounce it?
shimai
Did you know?
- The term お姉さん (onēsan) is frequently used by adults to address young women they do not know in a friendly or polite way, even if they are not sisters.
- The loanword シスター (shisutā) is not used for biological siblings but instead refers to a Catholic nun.
- Some linguists believe 妹 (imōto) shares an ancient root with the words for 'woman' 女 (me), 'elderly woman' 嫗 (omina) and 'mother' 母 (omo).
Examples in context
- 姉はいない。I don't have an older sister.This sentence is useful for stating that you do not have an older sister using 姉.Tatoeba #9432274 by small_snow, translation #9432270 by CK
- 妹さんは元気？How's your sister?This sentence uses 妹 to ask how someone's sister is doing.Tatoeba #81415 by bunbuku, translation #322300 by CK
- 私の妹は有名だ。My sister is famous.This sentence uses 妹 to describe a sister who is famous.Tatoeba #162593 by bunbuku, translation #251921 by CK
- 394 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Kenta are looking at a photo of Hiyori's family.
- 陽葵 Himari私たちはとても仲の良い姉妹です。Watashitachi wa totemo naka no yoi shimai desu.We are very close sisters.
- 健太 Kenta本当に似ていますね。Hontō ni nite imasu ne.You really look alike.
- 陽葵 Himari姉妹だとよく言われます。Shimai dato yoku iwaremasu.People often tell us we look like sisters.
- 健太 Kentaいいですね。Ii desu ne.That's nice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sister” translations and entries 姉妹, 姉, お姉さん, 妹, シスター, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries お姉さん, 妹, 姉, 姉妹, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
