Translation guide
In Japanese, there is no single everyday word for 'niece'. The most common way to refer to your niece is by her given name plus a title like ちゃん or さん, or simply by name. When you need to specify the relationship, use 姪 (めい) for your own niece, or 姪御さん (めいごさん) / 姪子さん (めいごさん) for someone else's niece. In formal contexts, 姪 (めい) is standard.
You want to talk about your niece in a natural, everyday conversation.
In Japanese, family members are usually addressed by name, not by kinship term. For a niece, you would typically use her name with ちゃん (for young girls) or さん (for older girls/young women), or just her name if you're close. This is the most natural way to refer to her in conversation.
明日、花子ちゃんのピアノの発表会があるんです。
Tomorrow, my niece Hanako has a piano recital.
This is the standard word for 'niece', but it's not used as a form of address. It's used when you need to clarify the relationship, e.g., when introducing her to someone who doesn't know her name, or in more formal explanations.
これは私の姪です。
This is my niece.
姪が来月結婚します。
My niece is getting married next month.
You want to ask about or refer to someone else's niece in a polite conversation.
Polite term for someone else's niece. It shows respect toward the niece and her family. Commonly used in formal or polite contexts.
お姪御さんはおいくつですか。
How old is your niece?
Alternative polite term for someone else's niece, using the character 子 (child). Slightly less common than 姪御さん but equally polite.
姪子さんは大学生だそうですね。
I hear your niece is a university student.
You need to refer to a niece in a formal document, speech, or when the relationship must be explicitly stated.
In formal writing or speeches, 姪 is the standard term. It is neutral and can refer to your own niece or someone else's, though context usually makes it clear.
故人の姪にあたる山田花子様よりご挨拶をいただきます。
We will now hear from Ms. Hanako Yamada, the deceased's niece.
You need to specify that the relative is a female child of your sibling.
When you need to be clear about the gender, 姪 specifically means 'niece' (female). For 'nephew', use 甥 (おい).
甥と姪が遊びに来ました。
My nephew and niece came to visit.
In English, you might say 'Hello, niece!' but in Japanese, you would never call someone 姪 directly. Always use their name or a name + title.
If you're unsure whether to use 姪 or a name, default to the name. It's almost always more natural in conversation.