義妹
Meanings
sister-in-law (spouse's younger sister or younger brother's wife)
Refers specifically to a younger sister-in-law by marriage. For an older sister-in-law, 義姉 (ぎし) is used.
My sister-in-law is still a university student.
My younger brother's wife, that is, my sister-in-law, helped with the cooking.
younger stepsister; younger adopted sister; non-blood-related younger sister
Used for a younger sister who is not related by blood, such as through remarriage or adoption. The reading いもうと is a gikun reading sometimes used for this sense, but ぎまい is standard.
I got a younger stepsister through my father's remarriage.
My adopted younger sister and I aren't related by blood, but I think of her as a real sister.
Usage patterns
- 義妹ができるto gain a (younger) sister-in-law or stepsister (through marriage or remarriage)
My older brother got married, and now I have a sister-in-law.
- 義妹と仲がいいto get along well with one's sister-in-law/stepsister
I get along well with my sister-in-law, so we often go out together.