Learn Kanji: 兄 - older brother

兄

5 strokes

Frequency: 1219

JLPT N3

Grade 2

Meanings

elder brother

big brother

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds

ケイ

キョウ

Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words

あに

Nanori — Specialized readings used in names

え

せ

よし

Common Words

兄

あに

Noun

Freq #1391

older brother; elder brother

Examples

私の兄は技師になった。

My brother became an engineer.

brother-in-law (spouse's older brother or older sister's husband)

兄弟

きょうだい

けいてい

Noun

Freq #2604

siblings; brothers and sisters

Examples

ライト兄弟はエンジンで動く飛行機を飛ばすことに成功した。

The Wright brothers succeeded in flying an airplane driven by an engine.

あなたは何人兄弟がいますか。

How many siblings do you have?

brothers

siblings-in-law; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law

Familiar; Male

mate; friend

お兄ちゃん

おにいちゃん

Noun

Freq #3056

Familiar

(one's) older brother

Examples

「百八といえば煩悩の数だ」「お兄ちゃんはどんな煩悩があるの？」「言ってもいいが、検閲削除になるぞ」

"Talking about 108, that's the number of worldly passions." "What worldly passions have you got then?" "I could say, but it'll get censored out."

Familiar; Oft. vocative

lad; sonny

Examples

ママー、今あのおにいちゃんすごいころんだよー。

Mummy, that man just fell flat on his face!

兄さん

にいさん

あにさん

Noun

Freq #3605

Honorific

older brother; elder brother

Examples

兄さんはよくおなりだと思いますが。

I hope your brother is better.

brother (as older-brother figure in friendly and or work relationship)

Familiar; Usu. vocative

young man; buddy; fella; laddie

お兄さん

おにいさん

Noun

Freq #3637

Honorific

older brother; elder brother

Examples

彼のお兄さんは有名なサッカーの選手です。

His brother is a famous soccer player.

Familiar; Oft. vocative

young man; buddy; fella; laddie

兄貴

あにき

アニキ

Noun

Freq #3726

Familiar; Honorific

elder brother

Examples

「そっか。暇なら掃除しといて」「なんだそれ。兄貴をアゴで使うなよ」

"Oh? If you're free get the cleaning done." "What's up with that? Don't order your brother around!"

one's senior

older man; man older than oneself

兄妹

けいまい

《きょうだい》

Noun

Freq #4821

older brother and younger sister

Examples

「でも、俺たち兄妹だろ！」「名目上ではね」

"But we're brother and sisters, aren't we?!" "In name we are."

兄様

兄さま

にいさま

Noun

Honorific

Freq #8176

older brother

兄ちゃん

にいちゃん

あんちゃん

Noun

Freq #8219

Familiar

(one's) older brother

Examples

兄ちゃん、こっち生中二つー。

Kiddo! Two medium-size drafts here.

young man; sonny; lad

Examples

「どいてください」「やんのか？あんちゃん」

"Please move aside." "Ya wanna make something of it, sonny?"

兄上

あにうえ

Noun

Honorific

Freq #8471

older brother

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Memory Mnemonics

Keywords

The core concepts or meanings associated with this specific kanji.

older brother

Constituents

The visual building blocks used to craft this character's story.

儿 human legs

🧩 teenager

口 mouth

Mnemonic Stories

Imagine your hungry older brother growing up, he was basically a mouth on human legs.

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Meanings

Readings

Common Words

Memory Mnemonics

Keywords

Constituents

Mnemonic Stories

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