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姉
Older Sister
あね (ane)
JLPT N4
Interesting Fact
In Japan, onee-san (お姉さん) doesn't always mean your actual older sister. It's often used as a friendly way to address a young woman, much like saying "miss" in English. As a result, many visitors are surprised when complete strangers suddenly become someone's "older sister."
Memory Trick
The left side is 女 (woman), the right side is 市 (market). Your older sister somehow knows every shop, every shortcut, and every sale. That's 姉.
Readings
Onyomi: シ (shi)
Kunyomi: あね (ane)
Example Words
姉
あね (ane)
Older sister
お姉さん
おねえさん (oneesan)
Older sister
姉妹
しまい (shimai)
Sisters
長姉
ちょうし (choushi)
Eldest sister
Example Sentence
姉は東京に住んでいます。
あね は とうきょう に すんでいます。
ane wa toukyou ni sundeimasu
My older sister lives in Tokyo.