How to Say "Brother" in Japanese
The most natural way to say "Brother" in Japanese is 兄. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.
Other ways to say it
When to use it
Use '兄' when referring to your older brother in a casual context. 'お兄さん' is polite and can be used for someone else's older brother. '弟' is used for younger brothers.
Say it out loud, get corrected
Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Brother" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.
Examples in Japanese
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 私の兄はサッカーが得意です。 | My brother is good at soccer. |
| お兄さん、遊びに来てください。 | Older brother, please come to play. |
| 弟はまだ学生です。 | My younger brother is still a student. |
The fastest way to remember it
Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 兄, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between '兄' and 'お兄さん'?
'兄' is a straightforward term for 'brother', while 'お兄さん' is more polite and often used to address someone else's older brother.
Learn Japanese by speaking it
Two free conversations. No card needed.