Translation guide
In Japanese, how you refer to your elder brother depends on whose brother it is, the formality of the situation, and your relationship. You generally use different words for your own brother when talking to others, when addressing him directly, and when referring to someone else's brother.
When talking about your own elder brother to someone outside your family, use humble forms.
Standard humble term for one's own elder brother when speaking to non-family members.
兄は東京に住んでいます。
My elder brother lives in Tokyo.
When speaking to your elder brother, use respectful family terms. Using his name alone can be rude.
Affectionate and common way to address an elder brother, especially within the family. Used by both children and adults in casual settings.
お兄ちゃん、ちょっと手伝って。
Hey big bro, help me out a bit.
Slightly more mature or respectful than お兄ちゃん, but still casual. Often used by adults.
兄さん、電話だよ。
Brother, there's a phone call for you.
Rough, masculine term for elder brother. Used mainly by males, often in working-class or yakuza contexts, or among close male friends as a term of respect.
When talking about another person's elder brother, use honorific forms to show respect.
Polite and standard way to refer to someone else's elder brother. Also used to address a young man politely.
田中さんのお兄さんは医者ですか。
Is Tanaka-san's elder brother a doctor?
Very formal and respectful, used historically or in samurai contexts. Rare in modern speech.
When the relationship is not specified or in abstract contexts, use a neutral term.
Neutral term for elder brother, used in definitions or when the speaker's relationship is unclear.
彼には兄が二人います。
He has two elder brothers.
Using お兄さん to refer to your own elder brother when speaking to someone outside your family sounds like you are elevating your own family, which is considered rude. Use 兄 (あに) instead.
In some families, younger siblings may call an elder brother by his given name plus 兄 (にい) or くん, e.g., 太郎兄 (たろうにい) or 太郎くん. This is less common than using お兄ちゃん but can be heard.
Bro, you're so cool.
Elder brother, I am relieved that you are safe.