Translation guide
Expressing that someone or something is older in age, or comparing relative age. Japanese uses different words for older siblings, older people in general, and for describing age differences.
Referring to one's own older brother or sister, or someone else's older sibling.
Used to refer to one's own older brother when speaking to someone outside the family. Humble.
My older brother lives in Tokyo.
Used to refer to one's own older sister when speaking to someone outside the family. Humble.
Polite way to refer to someone else's older brother, or to address one's own older brother directly.
Polite way to refer to someone else's older sister, or to address one's own older sister directly.
General term for siblings. Can be used to ask if someone has older siblings, but does not specify gender.
Describing someone who is older in age, not necessarily a sibling.
Means 'older' in terms of age. Used for friends, colleagues, or anyone older than you.
Comparing ages, stating that one thing is older than another.
Pattern for 'A is older than B'. Use 年上 for people.
My older sister is three years older than me.
Referring to an older version of software, a car model, etc.
General word for 'old' (not new). Can be used for things, versions, models.
古い (furui) means 'old' for objects, not people. Using it for a person would mean 'outdated' or 'old-fashioned', which can be rude. Use 年上 (toshiue) for age comparison.
He is an old-fashioned person. (Not 'He is an older person.')
兄 (ani) and 姉 (ane) are humble forms used when talking about your own older siblings to outsiders. お兄さん (oniisan) and お姉さん (oneesan) are polite forms used for others' siblings or when addressing your own directly. Using the wrong form can sound rude or overly familiar.
My older brother is a teacher.
My older sister is a doctor.
お兄さんはおいくつですか。
How old is your older brother?
お姉さんはとても親切ですね。
Your older sister is very kind.
兄弟はいますか。
Do you have any siblings?
He is older than me.
Attributive form meaning 'older'. Used before nouns.
I have many older friends.
Refers to someone senior in a school, workplace, or organization. Implies respect and a hierarchical relationship.
He is my senior from university.
Polite term for elderly people. Not used for someone just a few years older.
Let's give up our seats for the elderly.
For objects, buildings, etc., use 古い (old, not new).
This temple is older than that one.
Formal term for 'older' or 'senior', often used in official contexts like school grades.
The older children take care of the younger ones.
I'm using an older version.
Means 'older model' or 'old type', often for machines or vehicles.
Older model computers are cheap.
She is two years older than me.
This building is older than that one.