姉(あね)

あね
noun
older sister (usually one's own)
humblefamily
1. older sister (my older sister)
Humble term used when referring to one's own older sister when speaking to others outside the family.
姉(あね)は結婚(けっこん)しています。
My older sister is married.
姉(あね)は看護師(かんごし)です。
My older sister is a nurse.
姉(あね)に相談(そうだん)しました。
I consulted with my older sister.
姉(あね)は大学(だいがく)を卒業(そつぎょう)して、今(いま)会社(かいしゃ)で働(はたら)いています。
My older sister graduated from university and is now working at a company.
子供(こども)の頃(ころ)、姉(あね)とよく一緒(いっしょ)に遊(あそ)んだものです。姉(あね)はいつも優(やさ)しかったです。
When I was a child, I often played with my older sister. She was always kind.

Usage

姉(あね) is the word for one's own older sister when talking to people outside the family. Inside the family she is called お姉(ねえ)ちゃん or お姉(ねえ)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: 兄(あに) (older brother (humble))
Related: 妹(いもうと) (younger sister)
Keigo: お姉(ねえ)さん (honorific)
Related: 弟(おとうと) (my younger brother)
Related: 兄嫁(あによめ) (older brother's wife)
Related: お姉(ねえ)ちゃん (older sister (informal))

Related Articles

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