義妹(ぎまい)

ぎまい
noun
younger sister-in-law; stepsister (younger)
family
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)は大学生(だいがくせい)だ。
My sister-in-law is a college student.
義妹(ぎまい)と一緒(いっしょ)に買(か)い物(もの)に行(い)った。
I went shopping together with my sister-in-law.
義妹(ぎまい)が来月(らいげつ)結婚(けっこん)することになった。
My sister-in-law is getting married next month.
2. younger stepsister
A younger female sibling by remarriage of a parent, not related by blood.
父(ちち)の再婚(さいこん)で義妹(ぎまい)ができた。
I got a stepsister when my father remarried.
義妹(ぎまい)とは血(ち)のつながりはないが、本当(ほんとう)の姉妹(しまい)のように仲(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 義(ぎ) meaning "in-law" or "adopted," indicating a non-blood relationship.

Related family terms

In conversation, speakers often say 旦那(だんな)の妹(いもうと) (husband's younger sister) or 嫁(よめ)の妹(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.

Related Words

Related: 義兄(ぎけい) (brother-in-law (older))
Related: 義姉(ぎし) (sister-in-law (older))
Related: 義弟(ぎてい) (brother-in-law (younger))
general
Added 2026.3.22 9:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18000/18404_gimai