兄(あに)

あに
noun
older brother (usually one's own)
humblefamily
1. older brother (my older brother)
Humble term used when referring to one's own older brother when speaking to others outside the family.
兄(あに)は大学生(だいがくせい)です。
My older brother is a university student.
兄(あに)は東京(とうきょう)に住(す)んでいます。
My older brother lives in Tokyo.
兄(あに)は3歳(さい)年上(としうえ)です。
My older brother is 3 years older.
兄(あに)は結婚(けっこん)していて、子供(こども)が二人(ふたり)います。
My older brother is married and has two children.
兄(あに)は医者(いしゃ)になりたくて、毎日(まいにち)遅(おそ)くまで勉強(べんきょう)しています。
My older brother wants to become a doctor, so he studies late every day.

Usage

兄(あに) is the word for one's own older brother when talking to people outside the family. Inside the family he is called お兄(にい)ちゃん or お兄(にい)さん, or by name.

Related words

The same pattern runs through all family words: the bare form for your own family when talking to outsiders, お〜さん for other people's family and for direct address.

Related Words

Related: 姉(あね) (older sister (humble))
Related: 弟(おとうと) (younger brother)
Keigo: お兄(にい)さん (honorific)
Related: 妹(いもうと) (my younger sister)
Related: お兄(にい)ちゃん (older brother (affectionate))

Related Articles

Referring to People: Pronouns, Names, Titles, and Family Terms
basic
Added 2026.1.7 23:13 · Revised 2026.10.5 5:08
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