姉妹
shimai[ɕima̠i]
The Japanese word for 'sisters' is 姉妹 (shimai).
姉妹 is used to refer to two or more female siblings. It is often used in more formal or descriptive contexts, such as when describing 'the two sisters', rather than in casual conversation when a person is talking about their own siblings.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of two parts: 姉, which means 'elder sister' and 妹, which means 'younger sister'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 姉妹 can be used to refer to a single pair of sisters or to multiple sisters. The specific number is implied by the context of the conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
shimai
Did you know?
- The word 姉妹 is a homophone for the word しまい, which means 'the end' or 'conclusion'.
- While 姉妹 refers to female siblings, Japanese has a similar compound 兄弟 for brothers that is often used as a generic term for all siblings regardless of gender.
- The term 姉妹 traces its origins back to the 'Man'yōshū', one of Japan's oldest collections of poetry, which dates back to the 8th century.
Examples in context
- 姉妹はいますか？Do you have any sisters?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has any sisters using 姉妹.Tatoeba #168885 by KK_kaku_, translation #470858 by saasmath
- 姉妹揃って金髪よ。The sisters are both blondes.This sentence uses 姉妹 to describe sisters who are both blondes.Tatoeba #10022201 by small_snow, translation #47561 by CK
- あの人たちは姉妹なの？Are they sisters?This sentence uses 姉妹 to ask if a group of people are sisters.Tatoeba #8930244 by bunbuku, translation #3738525 by CK
- Aniya wa mottomo omoshiroi onee-chan desu. (あにゃは最も面白いお姉ちゃんです。)Aniya is the most entertaining older sister.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Yota are looking at a photograph.
- 陽葵 Himariこの二人は姉妹なの？Kono futari wa shimai nano?Are these two sisters?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、双子の姉妹だよ。Un, futago no shimai dayo.Yes, they are twin sisters.
- 陽葵 Himariすごく似ているね。Sugoku nite iru ne.They look very similar.
- 陽太 Yota性格は全然違うんだ。Seikaku wa zenzen chigau nda.Their personalities are completely different.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 姉妹, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 姉妹, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
