“Older sister” in Japanese is 姉 (あね), pronounced ane.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
Your own older sister is 姉; someone else’s is お姉さん (onēsan), which is also how you call your own.
Example sentences
- 姉は結婚しています。あねはけっこんしています。My older sister is married.
- お姉さんはやさしいですね。おねえさんはやさしいですね。Your older sister is kind.
Related forms
| Meaning | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| polite / addressing | お姉さん | おねえさん onēsan |
Quick practice
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Related words: Family & people
FAQ
How do you say older sister in Japanese?
Older sister in Japanese is 姉 (あね), pronounced “ane”.
How do you write older sister in Japanese?
It's written 姉 with kanji, or あね in hiragana. Both are read ane.
Is 姉 on the JLPT?
Yes. 姉 (ane) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.