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Kotomora

姉

elder sister

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • シ

Kun'yomi

  • あね
  • はは

Meaning

姉 centers on the concept of an elder sister, a female sibling older than oneself.

Most common words using 姉

20 of 80
  • 姉あね
    N5

    older sister; elder sister

  • 姉さんねえさん
    N1

    older sister; elder sister

  • 姉妹しまい
    N3

    sisters

  • 姉ちゃんねえちゃん

    (one's) older sister; (one's) elder sister

  • 義姉ぎし

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

  • 従姉妹いとこ
    N2

    cousin (female)

  • お姉おねえ

    elder sister

  • 姉御あねご

    elder sister

  • 従姉じゅうし

    cousin (older female)

  • 姉やねえや

    young lady (in ref. to a maid, etc.)

  • 愚姉ぐし

    older sister

  • 姉ねえ

    older sister

  • 実姉じっし

    biological older sister; real elder sister

  • 大姉おおあね

    eldest sister

  • 大姉だいし

    Sister (i.e. a nun; sometimes used as a posthumous suffix)

  • 姉貴あねき

    elder sister

  • 長姉ちょうし

    eldest sister; oldest sister

  • お姉さんおねえさん
    N5

    older sister; elder sister

  • 兄姉けいし

    older brother and older sister

  • お天気お姉さんおてんきおねえさん

    weather girl; female TV weather presenter

Explore all words using 姉 →

Study

Etymology

姉 combines 女 (woman) with 市, which likely contributes the sound and possibly the idea of a market or gathering, but the exact historical development is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

A woman 女 beside a market 市: imagine your elder sister taking you to the market, guiding you through the stalls.

Reading mnemonic

For シ, picture your elder sister showing you how to shop at the market: she -> シ, and she is the one who knows the way.