妹
妹·younger sister
- On-yomi
- マイ
- Kun-yomi
- いもうと
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 妹 | いもうと | younger sister (one's own) |
| 姉妹 | しまい | sisters |
| 妹さん | いもうとさん | someone else's younger sister |
| 義妹 | ぎまい | sister-in-law |
Example sentences
妹はまだ中学生です。
いもうとはまだちゅうがくせいです。
My younger sister is still in junior high.
姉妹で同じ学校に通っています。
しまいでおなじがっこうにかよっています。
The sisters attend the same school.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 姉妹 as *あねいもうと instead of しまい
- Writing 末 instead of 未 on the right — the upper stroke must be the shorter one
Memory aid
Picture it
A woman (女) beside 未 (not yet) — the sister who is not yet grown.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 妹 mean?