Translation guide
In Japanese, there is no single, common word that directly translates to 'sibling' in everyday conversation. Instead, you refer to brothers and sisters by their relative age and gender, or use collective terms. The choice depends on formality and whether you are talking about your own siblings or someone else's.
sibling (my older brother)
Used when referring to your own older brother in casual/neutral contexts.
siblings (general/collective)
Often used as a generic term for siblings, though it literally means 'brothers'. Can include sisters.
You want to talk about your own brother(s) or sister(s) in a neutral or informal setting.
Your own older brother. Use this when speaking to someone outside your family. Within the family, you might use お兄ちゃん (onii-chan) or similar.
My older brother is a college student.
Your own older sister. Same usage as 兄.
Your own younger brother.
Your own younger sister.
Literally 'brothers', but often used to mean 'siblings' in general, especially when the gender mix is unknown or includes both. Can be used for your own siblings.
While common, 兄弟 can be ambiguous. If you need to specify sisters only, use 姉妹 (しまい).
You want to talk about the sibling(s) of a person outside your family, using polite language.
You want to refer to the concept of siblings without specifying gender or age, often in formal or written contexts.
You want to say how many siblings you have, or ask someone else.
兄弟 (きょうだい) is the general term for siblings and can include both brothers and sisters. 姉妹 (しまい) specifically means sisters. If you have only sisters, you can use 姉妹, but 兄弟 is still widely understood and used.
I have two sisters.
While 兄弟 is the closest general term, it can sound masculine or exclude sisters in some contexts. If you need to be explicitly inclusive, use 兄弟姉妹 or rephrase.
My older sister is a doctor.
弟は中学生です。
My younger brother is a middle school student.
妹はピアノを習っています。
My younger sister is learning piano.
Do you have siblings?
I have three siblings.
Polite term for someone else's older brother. Also used to address your own older brother politely in some families.
I heard that Tanaka-san's older brother is a lawyer.
Polite term for someone else's older sister.
I met Suzuki-san's older sister.
Polite term for someone else's younger brother.
How old is your younger brother?
Polite term for someone else's younger sister.
Is your younger sister a student?
Polite collective term for someone else's siblings.
How many siblings do you have?
Formal term explicitly meaning 'brothers and sisters'. Used in official documents or when clarity is needed.
Please indicate whether you have siblings.
Literary or formal term for siblings, often used in the sense of 'fellow countrymen' as well. Rare in daily conversation.
They grew up like siblings.
I am one of three siblings.
He is the youngest of five siblings.
In Japanese, it's common to refer to your own siblings by name plus a title like お兄ちゃん or お姉ちゃん when speaking within the family. When speaking to outsiders, use the terms without honorifics (兄, 姉, etc.).
My sibling is older than me.
If the sibling is an older brother. Replace 兄 with 姉 for older sister.