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.
彼はチームの兄貴分だ。
He's the big-brother figure of the team.
兄貴分として後輩の面倒を見ている。
As a senior mentor, he looks after the younger members.
入社したばかりの頃、兄貴分の先輩にいろいろ教えてもらった。
When I first joined the company, a senior colleague who was like a big brother taught me a lot.
A compound of 兄貴 (big brother, colloquial) + 分 (role, status, part). The ～分 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 refers to a higher-ranking member who mentors and protects a junior member.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 兄貴分として: in the role of big brother
- チームの兄貴分: the big brother of the team
- 兄貴分の存在: a big-brother presence
RELATED WORDS:
- 姉御分: big-sister figure — the female equivalent
- 兄貴: big brother — informal/colloquial term for an older brother or older male figure
- 先輩: senior — a broader term for someone senior in an organization or school