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Cinnabar Bird
About brothers
Sorry my bad English. But it question is about Japanese. Check my knowledge, please.
My lovely word is a "BROTHER". So I know some Japanese words what mean it.
First one is "Aniki" - Big brother. How I can write this word? 兄貴? it's right?
Second one is "Otouto" - Little brother 弟
Next one is "Nii-san" - brother
Next one is "Onii -san" it's like "nii-san" but more respectfully. This word for only big brother or not?
In the end, "Kyodai" It's mean "brothers"? Or it can mean "brother"?
Why in "aniki" kanji 兄 sounds as "ani" but in "nii-san" it's sound as "nii"?
Do Japanese have another words what mean "brother"?
Jan 12, 2012 10:23 PM
Answers · 4
1
兄貴 = Aniki is mainly used by males and used, when talking about your own older brother
兄さん = (o)Nii-san without the "o" is also used for your own brother, when directly adressing him, when saying "onii-san", you mostly speak of someone else's older brother
弟 = Otouto is used for "little brother", as in, when you introduce your little brother to others (Watashi no otouto desu = This is my younger brother), using otouto-san, you always speak of someone else's little brother
兄弟 = Kyoudai means in general "brothers and sisters", not only "brothers".
There is, from what I know, another word for saying "older brother", which is very outdated and definitely not said anymore by anyone these days. It is a very honorable way of saying "older brother".
兄上 = Aniue
January 12, 2012
Thank you! It's good site.
January 13, 2012
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Cinnabar Bird
Language Skills
English, Japanese, Russian
Learning Language
English, Japanese
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