姉・姐|あねane[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
姉姉 is the more common written form. Beginners should use 姉 when writing this word.
姐姐 is a less common written variant of 姉. Choose 姉 by default unless you have a specific reason to use 姐.
Definitions
- nounolder sister; elder sister
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonymお姉さんおねえさんNeutralNeutral. Used to address your own older sister or someone else's; can also address a young woman. When speaking to outsiders about your own sister, use 「姉」.
- Synonym姉さんねえさんCasualColloquial. A casual form of 「お姉さん」, common within the family; also used to address young shop assistants and the like.
- Synonym姉さまねえさまFormalFormal. A respectful or old-fashioned family address for an older sister, rarely used today and carrying an upper-class flavor.
- Antonym妹いもうとNeutralNeutral. The opposite of 「姉」: a younger sister, i.e., a sister younger than oneself.
Talk about your own older sister to outsiders with 「姉」; address her, or someone else's older sister, with 「お姉さん」. At home, the casual 「姉さん」 is common; 「姉さま」 is a formal, old-fashioned alternative. 「妹」 is the opposite, a younger sister.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also
