弟
otōto[o̞to̞ːto̞]
The English phrase "younger brother" is translated into Japanese as 弟 (otōto).
The word 弟 is used specifically to refer to a male younger sibling. It is not used for a younger sister.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on whether you are talking about your own brother or someone else's. Use the plain form 弟 when talking about your own younger brother to others. To refer to someone else's younger brother, you should use the polite form 弟さん.
How do you pronounce it?
otōto
Did you know?
- While 弟 means 'younger brother', the term 弟弟子 refers to a 'junior apprentice' in traditional arts like martial arts or tea ceremonies.
- In Japanese, you almost never call your own 弟 by this word to his face. Instead, you would use his given name or a nickname.
- The etymology of 弟 reveals it was once a compound of 'younger sibling' and 'person', meaning the word literally translates to 'younger person' in its ancestral form.
Examples in context
- 太郎の弟だよ。He's Taro's younger brother.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as Taro's 弟.Tatoeba #10012748 by small_snow, translation #460850 by FeuDRenais
- 弟見なかった？Did you see my younger brother?This sentence is useful for asking if someone saw a 弟.Tatoeba #10023271 by small_snow, translation #10023115 by Cabo
- 弟さんはどこ？Where's your younger brother?This sentence is useful for asking where someone's 弟 is.Tatoeba #11760810 by small_snow, translation #12303705 by sundown
- 田中さんは私の弟です。Mr. Tanaka is my younger brother.
- 72 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about their families at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui健太さんの弟さんは元気ですか？Kenta-san no otōtosan wa genki desu ka?Is your younger brother doing well, Kenta?
- 健太 Kentaはい、弟は毎日元気ですよ。Hai, otōto wa mainichi genki desu yo.Yes, my younger brother is energetic every day.
- 結衣 Yuiそれは良かったです。Sore wa yokatta desu.That is good to hear.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんの弟さんも元気ですか？Yui-san no otōto-san mo genki desu ka?Is your younger brother doing well too, Yui?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “younger brother” translations and entries 弟, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 弟, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
