JLPT · Level 89
45 words
Japanese word
叔父
Pronunciation
Romajioji
Meaning
- noununcle
Example
叔父は料理が上手です。oji wa ryō ri ga jō zu de su
My uncle is good at cooking.
More examples
夏休みには、叔父の家で過ごします。natsu yasu mi ni wa oji no ie de su go shi ma su
I spend my summer vacation at my uncle's house.
Core concept
Refers to a male sibling of one's parent, with the kanji specifying that he is younger than the parent.
Common phrases
叔父に会うoji ni a u
meet one's uncle
叔父の家oji no ie
one's uncle's house
叔父と話すoji to hana su
talk with one's uncle
Similar words
伯父oji: A male sibling of one's parent who is older than that parent.
Definition in Japanese
父または母の弟に当たる男性。chichi ma ta wa haha no otōto ni a ta ru dan sei
Word origin
叔父 (oji, "uncle") is the native Japanese word おじ (oji) written with 叔 (shuku, "younger sibling") and 父 (fu, "father").
Usage tips
- English uses uncle for both older and younger parental brothers, while Japanese distinguishes 伯父 (oji) for an older brother and 叔父 (oji) for a younger brother in writing.