姉(あね)

あね

noun

older sister (humble)

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.

姉(あね) is the humble term for one's own older sister, used when speaking to people outside the family.

Family term system

姉(あね): my older sister (humble, to outsiders)
お姉(ねえ)さん: older sister (polite, someone else's or direct address)
お姉(ねえ)ちゃん: big sis (casual, direct address within family)

Usage

Within the family, children often call their older sister お姉(ねえ)ちゃん or by name. 姉(あね) is specifically for describing your sister to others.

Related family terms

兄(あに): my older brother (humble)
弟(おとうと): my younger brother (humble)
妹(いもうと): my younger sister (humble)

The pattern is consistent: plain forms for your own family members, お〜さん forms for others' family members or polite 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))

basic

Added 2026.1.7 23:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

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