兄貴分(あにきぶん)

あにきぶん
noun
someone like a big brother, senior figure
informalpersonsociety
1. someone in a big-brother role, senior mentor figure
A person who acts as a protective older-brother figure in a group or relationship, without necessarily being a blood relative. Implies a combination of seniority, guidance, and camaraderie. Often used in informal or masculine social contexts.
彼(かれ)はチームの兄貴分(あにきぶん)だ。
He's the big-brother figure of the team.
兄貴分(あにきぶん)として後輩(こうはい)の面倒(めんどう)を見(み)ている。
As a senior mentor, he looks after the younger members.
入社(にゅうしゃ)したばかりの頃(ころ)、兄貴分(あにきぶん)の先輩(せんぱい)にいろいろ教(おし)えてもらった。
When I first joined the company, a senior colleague who was like a big brother taught me a lot.

A compound of 兄貴(あにき) (big brother, colloquial) + 分(ぶん) (role, status, part). The ～分(ぶん) suffix indicates that the person fills that role without literally being one. The word has a warm, informal tone and is typically used among men.

In yakuza or gang contexts, 兄貴分(あにきぶん) refers to a higher-ranking member who mentors and protects a junior member.

Common collocations

Related words

  • 姉御分(あねごぶん): big-sister figure — the female equivalent
  • 兄貴(あにき): big brother — informal/colloquial term for an older brother or older male figure
  • 先輩(せんぱい): senior — a broader term for someone senior in an organization or school

Related Words

Related: 先輩(せんぱい) (senior)
Compare: 弟分(おとうとぶん) (younger-brother figure, junior (in a close relationship))
general
Added 2026.3.31 4:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
20500/20881_anikibun