兄けい

pronoun

you (honorific, familiar, male)

Honorific second-person pronoun used mainly by men in letters to address a male friend or superior. Familiar yet respectful; not used in everyday speech.

• 拝はい啓けい　兄けいにおかれましては、ますますご清せい栄えいのこととお喜よろこび申もうし上あげます。

  Dear Sir, I hope this letter finds you in ever greater prosperity.

suffix

Mr.; Mister (honorific suffix in letters)

Honorific suffix attached to the name of a male friend or superior in letters, similar to 'Mr.' but more intimate and respectful. Used by men.

• 山やま田だ兄けい、先せん日じつはありがとうございました。

  Dear Mr. Yamada, thank you for the other day.

noun

older brother

Original meaning; now archaic or literary. In modern Japanese, 兄 is normally read あに for 'older brother'.

See also: 兄 (あに)

• 古こ語ごでは「けい」は兄けいを指さしたが、現げん代だいでは「あに」が一いっ般ぱん的てきである。

  In classical language, けい meant older brother, but today あに is common.