Nuance & Usage
兄弟 traditionally refers to brothers (male siblings), but in modern usage it often covers all siblings (both brothers and sisters). For specifically mixed or all-female siblings, 兄弟姉妹 (kyoudai shimai) or 姉妹 (shimai — sisters) may be used. When referring to your own siblings to others, use humble forms: 兄 (ani — older brother), 弟 (otouto — younger brother), 姉 (ane — older sister), 妹 (imouto — younger sister). For others', use お兄さん, お姉さん, etc.
Common Mistakes
Japanese distinguishes older/younger siblings unlike English "brother/sister": 兄 (ani — older brother), 弟 (otouto — younger brother), 姉 (ane — older sister), 妹 (imouto — younger sister). When talking about your own siblings to others, use the humble forms (not お兄さん etc.). 兄弟がいますか？ means "Do you have siblings?" — this is common in self-introductions. Note: an only child says 一人っ子 (hitorikko).
Example Sentences (3)
兄弟は何人いますか？
きょうだいはなんにんいますか？
How many siblings do you have?
私には兄が一人と妹が一人います。
わたしにはあにがひとりといもうとがひとりいます。
I have one older brother and one younger sister.
兄弟で力を合わせれば、どんな困難も乗り越えられます。
きょうだいでちからをあわせれば、どんなこんなんものりこえられます。
If siblings work together, they can overcome any difficulty.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
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