兄
兄·older brother
- On-yomi
- ケイキョウ
- Kun-yomi
- あに
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 兄 | あに | older brother (one's own) |
| お兄さん | おにいさん | older brother (polite) |
| 兄弟 | きょうだい | siblings, brothers |
| 義兄 | ぎけい | brother-in-law |
Example sentences
兄は大学で働いています。
あにはだいがくではたらいています。
My older brother works at a university.
お兄さんはおいくつですか。
おにいさんはおいくつですか。
How old is your older brother?
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 兄見見 (see) has 目 on top; 兄 has the smaller 口 over the same two legs.
- 兄只只 shares 口 over two short strokes but lacks the long legs of 兄.
Common mistakes
- Saying お兄さん about your own brother when talking to outsiders — use 兄
- Reading 兄弟 as *あにおとうと instead of きょうだい
Memory aid
Picture it
A big mouth (口) on long legs (儿) — the older brother who does the talking.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 兄 mean?