妹
imōto[imo̞]
In Japanese, the phrase for "younger sister" is 妹 (imōto). Wiktionary also lists 妹さん (imōto san).
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 妹 | imōto | [imo̞] (narrow) [imo̞ːto̞] (narrow) |
|
| 妹さん | imōto san | [imo̞ːto̞sã̠ɴ] (narrow) | polite |
The term refers specifically to a sister who is younger than oneself, reflecting the importance of age hierarchy in Japanese culture.
Which one should you use?
Use imōto when referring to your own younger sister or when speaking about a younger sister in a general, non-polite context. In contrast, use imōto san when referring to someone else's younger sister to show respect.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
imōto is considered informal or neutral, whereas imōto san is a polite form used to show respect to others.
How do you pronounce it?
imōto
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, it is common for an older sibling to call their imōto by her given name rather than using the title 'younger sister' as a form of address.
- The word imōto is a combination of two words: imo, meaning a close female companion, and hito, meaning person.
Examples in context
- 私の妹は有名だ。My younger sister is famous.This sentence shows how to use 妹 to describe your own sister.Tatoeba #162593 by bunbuku, translation #2769870 by CK
- あの人、君の妹？Is that person your younger sister?This sentence uses 妹 to identify someone as a younger sister.Tatoeba #8689102 by small_snow, translation #10550270 by CK
- 妹がいたらなぁ。I wish I had a younger sister.This sentence expresses a desire for having a 妹.Tatoeba #10679076 by small_snow, translation #13545365 by CK
- 私の妹は学生です。My younger sister is a student.
- 妹と買い物に行きたい。I want to go shopping with my younger sister.
- 私の妹はとてもかわいい。My younger sister is very cute.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are talking about their families at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さんに妹はいますか？Yui-san ni imouto wa imasu ka?Do you have a younger sister, Yui?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、妹が一人います。Hai, imouto ga hitori imasu.Yes, I have one younger sister.
- 蓮 Ren妹さんは大学生ですか？Imouto-san wa daigakusei desu ka?Is your younger sister a college student?
- 陽葵 Himariいいえ、まだ高校生です。Iie, mada koukousei desu.No, she is still a high school student.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “younger sister” translations and entries 妹, 妹さん, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 妹, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
