姉: the kanji for older sister
姉 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means older sister. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
姉 is written in 8 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
姉 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シ (shi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 姉妹しまい · shimai | sisters |
| 義姉ぎし · gishi | older sister-in-law |
あね (ane)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 姉あね · ane | older sister |
| 姉上あねうえ · aneue | older sister (very formal) |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 姉, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| お姉さんおねえさん · onēsan | older sister (polite) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 姉は東京で医者をしています。Ane wa Tōkyō de isha o shite imasu.My older sister is a doctor in Tokyo.
- お姉さんによろしくお伝えください。Onēsan ni yoroshiku o-tsutae kudasai.Please give my regards to your older sister.
- 姉と二人で旅行に行きました。Ane to futari de ryokō ni ikimashita.My older sister and I went on a trip together.
- 姉妹でカフェを経営しています。Shimai de kafe o keiei shite imasu.The sisters run a café together.
- 姉に子どもが生まれました。Ane ni kodomo ga umaremashita.My older sister had a baby.
- 姉から仕事の話を聞きました。Ane kara shigoto no hanashi o kikimashita.My older sister told me about her work.
Questions about 姉
How many strokes does 姉 have?
姉 is written in 8 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 姉?
The on readings are shi (シ). The kun readings are ane (あね).
What is the difference between 姉 and お姉さん?
Use 姉 (ane) for your own older sister when talking to others. Use お姉さん (onēsan) for someone else's older sister, or to call your own older sister at home.
What JLPT level is 姉?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
People and family
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 姉
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.