Japanese word

妹

Pronunciation

Romajiimōto

Meaning

  • nounyounger sister

Example

妹は学生です。imōto wa gaku sei de su

My younger sister is a student.

Illustration for 妹 (younger sister)

More examples

私は妹と遊びます。watashi wa imōto to aso bi ma su

I play with my younger sister.

週末は妹と公園へ行きます。shū matsu wa imōto to kō en e i ki ma su

I go to the park with my younger sister on weekends.

Core concept

It identifies a female sibling who is younger than the person used as the reference point.

Common phrases

  • 妹と話すimōto to hana su

    speak with a younger sister

  • 妹の誕生日imōto no tan jō hi

    a younger sister's birthday

Similar words

妹さんimōtosan: A polite term for another person's younger sister.

Definition in Japanese

年下の女のきょうだい。toshi shita no onna no kyō da i

Word origin

The native Japanese word 妹 (imōto, "younger sister") is written with a Chinese-derived kanji meaning "younger sister", but its deeper Japanese word origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In simple Japanese conversation, 妹 (imōto) commonly refers to the speaker's younger sister when the family relationship is clear from context.

Opposites

Word lists with this word