姉
elder sister
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
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.