いもうと
imōtoyounger sister
Japanese has no single everyday word for "sister". Say いもうと (imōto) for a younger sister and あね (ane) for your own older sister. It is also called おねえさん (onēsan) and おねえちゃん (onēchan).
Meaning: a sister (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| いもうと | imōto | younger sister |
| あね | ane | older sister, your own |
| おねえさん | onēsan | older sister, someone else's or as address |
| おねえちゃん | onēchan | older sister, casual |
When you talk about your own family to outsiders, use あね (ane) and いもうと (imōto). For someone else's older sister, add respect with おねえさん (onēsan).
Which one should you use?
おねえさん (onēsan) and おねえちゃん (onēchan) are also what younger siblings call their older sister directly. A younger sister is usually called by her first name.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using いもうと for an older sister sounds wrong, because age order matters in Japanese.
Did you know?
- The word for sisters as a group is しまい (shimai), and siblings of any kind are きょうだい (kyōdai).
Examples in context
- わたしにはいもうとがひとりいます。Watashi ni wa imōto ga hitori imasu.I have one younger sister.
- あねはせんせいです。Ane wa sensei desu.My older sister is a teacher.
- おねえちゃん、まって。Onēchan, matte.Big sister, wait for me.
Example conversation
Sora introduces his family to his classmate Mei at lunch.
- Meiソラくんはきょうだいがいるの。Sora-kun wa kyōdai ga iru no.Do you have siblings, Sora?
- Soraうん、あねといもうとがいるよ。Un, ane to imōto ga iru yo.Yes, I have an older sister and a younger sister.
- Meiいいね、にぎやかそう。Ii ne, nigiyaka sō.Nice, it sounds lively.
