Japanese word

弟

Pronunciation

Romajiotōto

Meaning

  • nounlittle brother, younger brother

Example

弟は十歳です。otōto wa jū sai de su

My little brother is ten years old.

Illustration for 弟 (little brother)

More examples

弟は毎日学校へ行きます。otōto wa mai nichi gak kō e i ki ma su

My younger brother goes to school every day.

弟と買い物に行きます。otōto to ka i mono ni i ki ma su

I go shopping with my little brother.

Core concept

Describes the younger male sibling of the person speaking.

Common phrases

  • 弟がいるotōto ga i ru

    have a little brother

  • 弟と話すotōto to hana su

    talk with my little brother

  • 弟を手伝うotōto o te tsuda u

    help my little brother

Similar words

弟さんotōtosan: A polite way to refer to another person's younger male sibling.

Definition in Japanese

同じ親を持つ、自分より年下の男のきょうだい。ona ji oya o mo tsu ji bun yo ri toshi shita no otoko no kyō da i

Word origin

弟 (otōto, "younger brother") is a native Japanese word whose older form おとひと (otohito) combined a term for being younger with a word meaning person.

Usage tips

  • The word 弟 (otōto) makes a distinction that English speakers often need to express separately because "brother" does not show whether the sibling is older or younger.

Opposites

Related words

  • 弟さんotōtosanyounger brothernoun

Word lists with this word