姉

JLPT N4

Older sister

Readings

On’yomi: γ‚· (shi)
Kun’yomi: あね (ane)
β€’ あね (ane) – (my) older sister β€’ おねえ (as in γŠγ­γˆγ•γ‚“) – older sister (polite or for someone else’s sister)

Vocabulary

姉
あね
older sister
姉妹
しまい
sisters
γŠε§‰γ•γ‚“
γŠγ­γˆγ•γ‚“
older sister (polite)
義姉
γŽγ—
sister-in-law
長姉
けょうし
eldest sister

Example Sentences

姉はε„ͺしいです。
あね は やさしい です。
My older sister is kind.
ε§‰ε¦ΉγŒγ„γΎγ™γ€‚
しまい が います。
I have sisters.
γŠε§‰γ•γ‚“γ«δΌšγ„γΎγ™γ€‚
γŠγ­γˆγ•γ‚“ に あいます。
I meet my older sister.
義姉と話します。
γŽγ— と はγͺします。
I talk with my sister-in-law.
ι•·ε§‰γŒδ»£θ‘¨γ§γ™γ€‚
けょうし が だいひょう です。
The eldest sister is the representative.

Cultural Note

πŸ‘©β€πŸ¦° In Japanese families, the older sister (姉) is traditionally seen as caring, mature, and dependable.
β€’ She often helps raise younger siblings and supports parents.
β€’ In anime and daily conversation, γŠε§‰γ•γ‚“ (or even affectionately γŠγ­γˆγ‘γ‚ƒγ‚“) is used warmly to express closeness.
β€’ It’s also a polite way to address a young woman (e.g., a waitress or shop clerk) in informal settings:
πŸ‘‰ γ€Œγ™γΏγΎγ›γ‚“γ€γŠε§‰γ•γ‚“οΌγ€ – β€œExcuse me, miss!”