5

Older Brother


Meaning

Older Brother, Big Brother, Elder Brother

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The kanji and the word are exactly the same. That means they share meanings as well. This implies that it is your older brother, by the way. Not somebody else's.


Reading

あに

Explanation

Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it should use the kun'yomi reading. You haven't learned this reading yet, so here's a mnemonic to help you: Your older brother is different from everyone else's. He has odd powers... some would say powers of the force. Do you know what his name is? It's Ani (あに), short for Anikin... wait a sec, does that sound familiar?


Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 兄がいる

    to have an older brother

    兄が来る

    my big brother comes

    兄が言う

    my big brother says

  • 兄の会社

    my older brother's company

    兄の友人

    my older brother's friend

    兄の子

    my older brother's child

  • 兄はやさしい

    my big brother is kind

    兄はきびしい

    my big brother is strict

    兄はいそがしい

    my big brother is busy

  • 自分の兄

    my own big brother

    母の兄

    my mother's older brother

    上の兄

    my eldest brother

  • 兄に言う

    to tell one's big brother

    兄に当たる

    to be hard on one's big brother

    兄にもらう

    my big brother gives me

Context Sentences

兄が二人います。

I have two older brothers.

兄はプロジェクトマネジャーです。

My brother is a project manager.

兄の車でアトランタまで行きました。

I drove my brother's car to Atlanta.


Kanji Composition