L45. Daily Japanese Kanji — Day 45: 弟
Days 41-50
R-report
[Day 45] 弟 - younger brother
The kanji 弟 refers to a younger brother or a younger male in a family/familiar relationship. It's commonly used in family words and some compounds (like 兄弟 and 弟子). You will see it in everyday conversation when talking about family or informal social relationships. Readings: On'yomi and Kun'yomi are used differently in compounds and standalone words; common compounds include 兄弟 (きょうだい) and 弟子 (でし). Mnemonic tip: Think of 弟 as the kanji you use when talking about the younger sibling — the simple shape connects to family terms.
Readings
On'yomi: **テイ / ダイ** (tei / dai) Kun'yomi: **おとうと** (otōto)
Related words
- 弟（おとうと / otōto） — younger brother. - 私の**弟**は大学生です。 (Watashi no **otōto** wa daigakusei desu.) (My younger brother is a college student.)
- 弟さん（おとうとさん / otōto-san） — someone's younger brother (polite). - あの人の**弟さん**は優しいですね。 (Ano hito no **otōto-san** wa yasashii desu ne.) (That person's younger brother is kind, isn't he?)
- 兄弟（きょうだい / kyōdai） — siblings; brothers. - 彼には三人の**兄弟**がいます。 (Kare ni wa san-nin no **kyōdai** ga imasu.) (He has three siblings.)
- 弟子（でし / deshi） — apprentice; disciple. - 武道の先生の**弟子**になりました。 (Budō no sensei no **deshi** ni narimashita.) (I became my martial arts teacher's apprentice.)
- 弟分（おとうとぶん / otōtobun） — a younger follower; a protégé or junior member (colloquial). - 彼は私の**弟分**のような存在です。 (Kare wa watashi no **otōtobun** no yō na sonzai desu.) (He feels like a younger protégé to me.)