兄嫁(あによめ)

あによめ
noun
older brother's wife; sister-in-law
1. older brother's wife; sister-in-law
The wife of one's older brother. Japanese has specific kinship terms that distinguish between different in-law relationships based on the relative age and gender of the sibling.
兄嫁(あによめ)は料理(りょうり)が上手(じょうず)だ。
My brother's wife is good at cooking.
兄嫁(あによめ)と一緒(いっしょ)に買(か)い物(もの)に行(い)った。
I went shopping with my sister-in-law.
兄嫁(あによめ)が子供(こども)を連(つ)れてうちに遊(あそ)びに来(き)た。
My brother's wife came to visit with the children.

兄(あに) means 'older brother,' and 嫁(よめ) means 'bride' or 'wife.' Together, 兄嫁(あによめ) specifically refers to the wife of one's older brother. Japanese kinship vocabulary is more precise than English, distinguishing family relationships by birth order and side of the family.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 兄嫁(あによめ)と仲(なか)が良(よ)い (to get along well with one's sister-in-law)
  • 兄嫁(あによめ)の実家(じっか) (sister-in-law's parents' home)

RELATED KINSHIP TERMS:

  • 義姉(ぎし) — sister-in-law (formal; older brother's wife or husband's/wife's older sister)
  • 弟嫁(おとうとよめ) — younger brother's wife
  • 嫁(よめ) — wife, bride, daughter-in-law
  • 姉(あね) — older sister (blood relation)
general
Added 2026.4.1 7:17
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