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Kotomora

妹

younger sister

JLPTN4StatusJōyō · grade 2FrequencyTop 2,000Strokes8

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

Explore all words using 妹 →

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.