Readings: マイ (Onyomi), いもうと (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Younger sister
The character 妹 combines 女 (おんな – woman) and 未 (み – not yet/future). The 未 component serves as a phonetic element, while also subtly conveying the idea of being “not yet fully grown” or “young,” thus forming the meaning of a “younger” female sibling.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 妹 has 8 strokes. It starts with the 女 radical on the left, followed by the 未 component on the right. Pay attention to the correct stroke order and balance.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 女 (おんな) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | Not in Joyo grades |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- マイ (Mai)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- いもうと (Imōto)
Common Words Using 妹
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 姉妹 | しまい | sisters |
| 末妹 | ばつまい | youngest sister |
| 義妹 | ぎまい | sister-in-law |
| 実妹 | じつまい | one’s own younger sister |
| 令妹 | れいまい | someone’s (polite) younger sister |
| 愚妹 | ぐまい | my (humble) younger sister |
| 賢妹 | けんまい | wise younger sister (less common) |
| 表妹 | ひょうまい | paternal female cousin (archaic) |
| 嫡妹 | ちゃくまい | younger sister of one’s legal wife (archaic) |
| 叔妹 | しゅくまい | paternal aunt’s daughter; cousin (less common) |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 妹 | いもうと | younger sister |
| 妹さん | いもうとさん | (polite) younger sister |
| 義理の妹 | ぎりのいもうと | sister-in-law |
| 妹分 | いもうとぶん | a younger female who is like a sister |
| 妹婿 | いもうとむこ | younger sister’s husband |
| 妹弟子 | いもうとでし | younger female apprentice/disciple |
| 妹御 | いもうとご | polite reference to someone’s younger sister (archaic/formal) |
| 妹背 | いもせ | archaic: husband and wife; siblings |
| 妹達 | いもうとたち | younger sisters (plural) |
| 妹さん達 | いもうとさんたち | (polite) younger sisters (plural) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 私の妹は高校生です。
Kana: わたしのいもうとはこうこうせいです。
Romaji: Watashi no imōto wa kōkōsei desu.
English: My younger sister is a high school student.
Japanese: 妹と公園へ行きました。
Kana: いもうととこうえんへいきました。
Romaji: Imōto to kōen e ikimashita.
English: I went to the park with my younger sister.
Japanese: これは妹への誕生日プレゼントです。
Kana: これはいもうとへのたんじょうびプレゼントです。
Romaji: Kore wa imōto e no tanjōbi purezento desu.
English: This is a birthday present for my younger sister.
Japanese: 妹はピアノを習っています。
Kana: いもうとはピアノをならっています。
Romaji: Imōto wa piano o naratteimasu.
English: My younger sister is learning the piano.
Japanese: 姉妹で旅行に行く計画を立てています。
Kana: しまいであるいこうへいきました。
Romaji: Shimai de ryokō ni iku keikaku o tateteimasu.
English: My sisters and I are planning a trip.
Japanese: 妹はいつも元気いっぱいです。
Kana: いもうとはいつもげんきいっぱいです。
Romaji: Imōto wa itsumo genki ippai desu.
English: My younger sister is always full of energy.
Japanese: 彼には妹が三人います。
Kana: かれにはいもうとがさんにんいます。
Romaji: Kare ni wa imōto ga sannin imasu.
English: He has three younger sisters.
Japanese: 妹はアニメを見るのが好きです。
Kana: いもうとはアニメをみるのがすきです。
Romaji: Imōto wa anime o miru no ga suki desu.
English: My younger sister likes watching anime.
Japanese: 夏休みに妹の家に遊びに行きました。
Kana: なつやすみにいもうとのいえにあそびにいきました。
Romaji: Natsuyasumi ni imōto no ie ni asobi ni ikimashita.
English: I visited my younger sister’s house during the summer vacation.
Japanese: 私の末妹はまだ小学生です。
Kana: わたしのばつまいわまだしょうがくせいです。
Romaji: Watashi no batsumai wa mada shōgakusei desu.
English: My youngest sister is still an elementary school student.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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