Japanese Conversation · Level 44
90 words
Japanese word
長男
Pronunciation
Romajichōnan
Meaning
- nouneldest son
Example
私は家族の長男です。watashi wa ka zoku no chō nan de su
I am the eldest son in my family.
More examples
長男として家族を支えています。chō nan to shi te ka zoku o sasa e te i ma su
As the eldest son, I support my family.
Core concept
Identifies the first male child born among the siblings, whether or not older sisters were born before him.
Common phrases
長男としてchō nan to shi te
as the eldest son
長男の嫁chō nan no yome
the eldest son's wife
Definition in Japanese
兄弟姉妹の中で最初に生まれた男子。kyō dai shi mai no naka de sai sho ni u ma re ta dan shi
Word origin
長男 (chōnan) combines 長 (chō, "eldest") and 男 (nan, "male"), forming a word for the eldest male child in a family.
Usage tips
- In everyday English, "eldest son" describes the oldest son, so he may have older sisters but no older brothers.
Related words
- 長男坊chōnanbōeldest boynoun