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Kotomora

兄

elder brother, big brother

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes5

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケイ
  • キョウ

Kun'yomi

  • あに

Nanori

  • え
  • せ
  • よし

Meaning

兄 centers on the family relationship of an older male sibling: an elder brother or big brother.

Most common words using 兄

20 of 92
  • 兄あに
    N5

    older brother; elder brother

  • 兄弟きょうだい
    N5

    brothers and sisters; siblings

  • 兄さんにいさん
    N1

    older brother; elder brother

  • 兄ちゃんにいちゃん

    (one's) older brother

  • 兄貴あにき

    elder brother

  • 従兄弟いとこ
    N3

    cousin (male)

  • 兄妹けいまい

    older brother and younger sister

  • 義兄ぎけい

    brother-in-law (spouse's older brother or older sister's husband)

  • 長兄ちょうけい

    eldest brother

  • 従兄じゅうけい
    N3

    cousin (older male)

  • 義兄弟ぎきょうだい

    brother-in-law; stepbrother; sworn brother

  • 父兄ふけい
    N1

    guardians; parents

  • 兄嫁あによめ

    elder brother's wife; sister-in-law

  • 諸兄しょけい

    dear friends; (all of) you or those men

  • 兄弟子あにでし

    senior pupil (of the same master); senior disciple; senior student; senior member

  • 実兄じっけい

    biological older brother

  • 兄弟分きょうだいぶん

    sworn brother; buddy; pal

  • 再従兄弟はとこ

    second cousin

  • 兄にい

    older brother; elder brother

  • 乳兄弟ちきょうだい

    foster sibling; foster brother; foster sister

Explore all words using 兄 →

Study

Etymology

兄 is commonly explained as a person 儿 with a large mouth 口, suggesting an elder brother who speaks with authority in the family.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 口 is a big mouth, and the bottom 儿 is a person. Picture an elder brother standing tall and speaking with a big voice, guiding his younger siblings.

Reading mnemonic

For ケイ, imagine your elder brother named Kay: Kay -> ケイ, and he's the big brother who always looks out for you.