姪(めい)

姪(めい) means niece — the daughter of one's brother or sister. Japanese does not distinguish between a brother's daughter and a sister's daughter; both are 姪(めい).

FAMILY TERMS:

• 姪(めい): niece
• 甥(おい): nephew
• 姪(めい)っ子(こ): niece (casual, affectionate)
• 甥(おい)っ子(こ): nephew (casual, affectionate)

POLITE FORMS:

When referring to someone else's niece or nephew, add お〜さん:

• お姪(めい)さん: your niece
• お甥(おい)さん: your nephew

KANJI:
The kanji 姪(めい) uses the 女(おんな)へん radical. It is not used in other common words, so learners typically encounter it only in this family term.

USAGE:
In casual speech, 姪(めい)っ子(こ) is more common than 姪(めい) alone, especially when talking affectionately about a young niece.