How to say "brother" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounA loanword that simply echoes English 'brother'. It is less common, and when speaking of your own older brother it is seldom the word you want — 兄さん is the everyday choice.
- 兄さんにいさんnounThe common, familiar term for an older brother; it also addresses or refers to a man one treats as an older-brother figure, as in friendly or work relationships.
For an older brother, or a man treated as an older-brother figure in friendly or work relationships, use the common 「兄さん」; 「ブラザー」 is a less common loanword and seldom the everyday choice.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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