Japanese word

姉妹

Pronunciation

Romajishimai

Meaning

  • nounsisters

Example

姉妹は毎日一緒に学校へ行きます。shi mai wa mai nichi is sho ni gak kō e i ki ma su

The sisters go to school together every day.

Illustration for 姉妹 (sisters)

More examples

姉妹は休日に祖母の家を訪ねます。shi mai wa kyū jitsu ni so bo no ie o tazu ne ma su

The sisters visit their grandmother's house on holidays.

Core concept

It presents female siblings as a connected family group rather than as separate individuals.

Common phrases

  • 姉妹がいるshi mai ga i ru

    have sisters

  • 姉妹の仲shi mai no naka

    sisterly relationship

  • 姉妹で遊ぶshi mai de aso bu

    play together as sisters

Similar words

女兄弟jokyōdai: Female siblings referred to by a gender-based family term.

Definition in Japanese

同じ親を持つ女性のきょうだい。ona ji oya o mo tsu jo sei no kyō da i

Word origin

姉妹 (shimai) combines 姉 (shi, "older sister") and 妹 (mai, "younger sister") in Sino-Japanese reading, covering female siblings as a group.

Usage tips

  • The family meaning of 姉妹 (shimai) appears in 姉妹都市 (shimai toshi), a common term for cities linked by a friendship partnership.

Word lists with this word