Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 伯父 | oji | [o̞ʑi] (narrow) |
| 伯父貴 | ojiki | |
| 叔父 | oji | [o̞ʑi] (narrow) |
| 叔父貴 | ojiki |
The term refers to the brother (or brother-in-law) of someone’s parent. While specific kanji are used for formal writing or specific family trees, the distinction between the two kanji for 'older' and 'younger' uncle is lost in spoken Japanese, as both are pronounced oji.
Which one should you use?
In written Japanese, two different kanji are used to specify the uncle's relationship to one's parent: 伯父 is used specifically for an uncle who is older than one's parent, while 叔父 is used specifically for an uncle who is younger than one's parent. In spoken Japanese, both are pronounced as oji, meaning the distinction between older and younger is not audible.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more honorific way to refer to an uncle to show higher respect, you can use おじさま. The form ojiki is a colloquial or rough way to address or refer to an uncle, often used by males in a masculine or street-style manner.
How do you pronounce it?
oji
Did you know?
- In Japan, oji-san is often used to address any middle-aged man on the street even if there is no family relation.
- The term oji-san can be used as a gentle tease or a mild insult to suggest someone is acting or looking 'old' for their age.
- The masculine suffix -ki in ojiki creates a vibe of old-fashioned toughness, often associated with the 'edokko' spirit of old Tokyo.
Examples in context
- 彼は私の叔父です。He is my uncle.This sentence is useful for identifying a person as an uncle using 叔父.Tatoeba #105789 by bunbuku, translation #297898 by CK
- 叔父は大金持ちです。My uncle has a ton of money.This sentence is useful for describing an uncle's wealth using 叔父.Tatoeba #10212496 by small_snow, translation #9855595 by DJ_Saidez
- この家は叔父のものだ。This house belongs to my uncle.This sentence is useful for stating ownership using 叔父.Tatoeba #222809 by small_snow, translation #60139 by CK
- これは私のおじさんです。This is my uncle.
- どうぞ、おじさま。Please, Uncle.
- おじ、ご飯食べに行こうよ！Uncle, let's go out to eat!
- 84 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui is showing Kenta a photo of her family.
- 結衣 Yuiこの人は私の伯父です。Kono hito wa watashi no oji desu.This person is my uncle.
- 健太 Kentaかっこいい伯父さんですね。Kakkoii oji-san desu ne.He is a cool uncle.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you very much.
- 健太 Kentaどこに住んでいるんですか。Doko ni sunde iru n desu ka.Where does he live?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “uncle” translations and entries 伯父, 伯父貴, 叔父, 叔父貴, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
