L44. Daily Japanese Kanji — Day 44: 姉
Days 41-50
R-report
[Day 44] 姉 - older sister
The kanji 姉 refers to an older sister and is used both for family relationships and in polite/addressing forms (e.g., お姉さん). Graphically it includes the 女 (woman) radical on the left, so its meanings relate to female family members; you'll see it in everyday words about sisters and sister‑like relationships. Readings: On'yomi and Kun'yomi are used (On'yomi appears in some compounds, Kun'yomi for referring to one’s own sister or in speech). Mnemonic tip: notice the 女 (woman) on the left — think “a woman” + the rest to remember “older sister.”
Readings
On'yomi: **シ** (shi) Kun'yomi: **あね**, **おねえ** (ane, onee)
Related words
- 姉（あね / ane） — older sister (one's own) - 私の**姉**は教師です。 (Watashi no ane wa kyōshi desu. — My older sister is a teacher.)
- お姉さん（おねえさん / onee-san） — older sister; polite form / addressing a young woman - その**お姉さん**はとても親切です。 (Sono onee-san wa totemo shinsetsu desu. — That older sister / young woman is very kind.)
- 姉妹（しまい / shimai） — sisters - 彼女たちは**姉妹**です。 (Kanojotachi wa shimai desu. — They are sisters.)
- 義姉（ぎし / gishi） — sister‑in‑law (older) - 私の**義姉**は東京に住んでいます。 (Watashi no gishi wa Tōkyō ni sunde imasu. — My sister‑in‑law lives in Tokyo.)
- 姉貴（あねき / aneki） — informal/colloquial 'sis' (rougher or familiar tone) - 彼は**姉貴**に助けを頼んだ。 (Kare wa aneki ni tasuke o tanonda. — He asked his big sister for help.)