妹
younger sister
Readings
On'yomi
- マイ
Kun'yomi
- いもうと
Nanori
- す
- せ
- も
Meaning
妹 centers on a female sibling who is younger: a younger sister.
Most common words using 妹
20 of 53- 妹いもうとN5
younger sister
- 姉妹しまいN3
sisters
- 兄妹けいまい
older brother and younger sister
- 従姉妹いとこN2
cousin (female)
- 義妹ぎまい
sister-in-law (spouse's younger sister or younger brother's wife)
- 従妹じゅうまい
cousin (younger female)
- 実妹じつまい
biological younger sister
- 弟妹ていまい
younger brother and sister
- 乳姉妹ちきょうだい
foster sister
- 亡妹ぼうまい
one's deceased younger sister
- 令妹れいまい
your younger sister
- 兄妹交配きょうだいこうはい
brother-sister inbreeding; sibling mating
- 兄妹喧嘩きょうだいげんか
quarrel between siblings
- 兄弟姉妹きょうだいしまい
brothers and sisters; siblings
- 十姉妹じゅうしまつ
Bengalese finch; society finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica)
- 吾妹わぎも
my love; my dear; darling
- 吾妹子わぎもこ
my love; my dear; darling
- 妹いも
darling (woman); dear; honey; my betrothed
- 妹さんいもうとさん
younger sister
- 妹の命いものみこと
young lady
Study
Etymology
妹 combines 女 (woman) with 未, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of something not yet fully grown, suggesting a younger female sibling.
Meaning mnemonic
A woman 女 who is not yet 未 fully grown: a younger sister.
Reading mnemonic
For マイ, imagine your younger sister proudly showing you her new My Little Pony toy: My -> マイ, and she is your 妹.