妹背いもせ

い

も

せ

Meanings

noun

married couple; husband and wife

archaic

Archaic term for a married couple, often used in classical poetry and literature. Not used in modern everyday speech.

妹背いもせの契ちぎりを交かわす。
They exchange vows as husband and wife.

noun

brother and sister; siblings

archaic

Archaic term for a brother and sister pair, especially in classical contexts. The word emphasizes the close bond between siblings.

妹背いもせの仲なか睦むつまじい様よう子すが描えがかれている。
The close relationship between the brother and sister is depicted.

See all 4 example sentences ›

Kanji

妹younger sister
背stature, height, back
兄elder brother, big brother

Related words

夫ふう婦ふ
Modern standard word for a married couple, used in everyday conversation.
兄けい妹まい
Modern standard word for brother and sister, commonly used in contemporary Japanese.

Word family

妹背鳥いもせどり
wagtail (Motacillidae, excluding pipits) · lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus)

Built from

妹いも+背せ

Written forms

妹背いもせUsage100%
Archaic kanji spelling; 妹 (younger sister) and 背 (back/stature, here representing the husband or brother) combine to express a close pair.
妹兄いもせ
Variant archaic spelling using 兄 (elder brother) instead of 背; both forms are rare and found in classical texts.

Etymology

A compound of ancient いも, “sister, wife, or beloved woman,” and せ, “brother, husband, or beloved man,” denoting a male-and-female pair or a pair of siblings.