(ぎまい)

ぎまい
noun
younger sister-in-law; stepsister (younger)
1. younger sister-in-law
The younger sister of one's spouse, or the wife of one's younger brother.
義妹(ぎまい)大学生(だいがくせい)だ。
My sister-in-law is a college student.
義妹(ぎまい)一緒(いっしょ)()(もの)()った。
I went shopping together with my sister-in-law.
(おっと)義妹(ぎまい)来月(らいげつ)結婚(けっこん)することになった。
My husband's younger sister is getting married next month.
2. younger stepsister
A younger female sibling by remarriage of a parent, not related by blood.
(ちち)再婚(さいこん)義妹(ぎまい)ができた。
I got a stepsister when my father remarried.
義妹(ぎまい)とは()のつながりはないが、本当(ほんとう)姉妹(しまい)のように(なか)がいい。
Although we're not related by blood, my stepsister and I are as close as real sisters.

義妹(ぎまい) uses the character () meaning "in-law" or "adopted," indicating a non-blood relationship.

RELATED FAMILY TERMS:

  • 義兄(ぎけい) — older brother-in-law / older stepbrother
  • 義姉(ぎし) — older sister-in-law / older stepsister
  • 義弟(ぎてい) — younger brother-in-law / younger stepbrother

In conversation, speakers often say 旦那(だんな)(いもうと) (husband's younger sister) or (よめ)(いもうと) (wife's younger sister) to be specific about the relationship, since 義妹(ぎまい) can mean either in-law or step-sibling.