Japanese word

兄弟

Pronunciation

Romajikyōdai

Meaning

  • nounsiblings

Example

兄弟と公園で遊びます。kyō dai to kō en de aso bi ma su

I play at the park with my siblings.

Illustration for 兄弟 (siblings)

More examples

私の兄弟は三人います。watashi no kyō dai wa san nin i ma su

I have three siblings.

兄弟の中で私が一番上です。kyō dai no naka de watashi ga ichi ban ue de su

I am the oldest among my siblings.

Core concept

Describes brothers and sisters who share a family relationship, especially children of the same parents.

Common phrases

  • 兄弟げんかkyō dai ge n ka

    sibling quarrel

  • 兄弟の一人kyō dai no hito ri

    one of the siblings

Definition in Japanese

同じ親から生まれた二人以上の子ども。ona ji oya ka ra u ma re ta futa ri i jō no ko do mo

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 兄 (kyō, "older brother") + 弟 (dai, "younger brother") refers literally to older and younger male children but commonly includes siblings of any gender.

Usage tips

  • In casual conversation, 兄弟 (kyōdai) often appears without a number, so the exact number of siblings is supplied by context.

Word lists with this word