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弟 (おとうと, otouto) Japanese meaning: younger brother | Kotomora
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My younger brother is a university student from this year.
Usage patterns 〈 人ひと 〉 には 弟おとうと がいる someone has a younger brother
He has two younger brothers.
〈 人ひと 〉 の 弟おとうと にあたる to be someone's younger brother (in a family relationship)
He is my husband's younger brother.
弟おとうと のように 〈 動どう 詞し 〉 to treat/act toward someone like a younger brother
I care for him like a younger brother.
Kanji 弟 younger brother, faithful service to elders Related words 義弟 explicitly means 'younger brother-in-law,' making the relationship clear, whereas 弟 can carry that meaning only from context.
弟 (おと) is an archaic word for a younger sibling of the same sex, while 弟 (おとうと) is the modern standard word for 'younger brother'.
弟 is the standard word for a younger brother, whereas ブラザー is an age-neutral loanword often used in a Western or affectionate sense.
弟 is the everyday, unmarked word for 'younger brother', whereas 実弟 explicitly stresses the blood relationship and is used in more formal or clarifying contexts.
Opposites 兄 means an older brother, the age-direction opposite of 弟 (a younger brother).
弟 means younger brother, the direct opposite of 兄貴 meaning older brother.
Don't confuse with 弟子 is the everyday modern word for 'pupil' or 'apprentice,' while 弟 in that sense (read てい) is archaic and rarely used today.
妹 means younger sister and 弟 means younger brother; learners often mix up which kanji goes with which gender since both refer to a younger sibling.
Counted with The everyday counter for people: 一人 (ひとり), 二人 (ふたり), 三人 (さんにん).
More formal than 人 — used for headcounts in reservations, staff lists, and announcements (5名様).
Word family· 10 sworn younger brother; junior male peer
younger pupil (of the same master); younger disciple; junior member
younger brother (polite, archaic)
younger daughter
Etymology 弟 is the conventional kanji for 'younger brother.' おとうと is the common native Japanese reading, while てい is a Sino-Japanese reading; the deeper historical derivation of おとうと is uncertain here.
younger brother's wife; sister-in-law (younger brother's spouse)
Show 5 more your younger brother
younger brother (honorific)
one's younger brother and his wife
younger son
killing one's younger brother; fratricide
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Kana spelling is practical in casual, learner-facing, or child-oriented writing, though the kanji 弟 is very common.