The Meaning of kyoudai [兄弟] In Japanese

兄弟
きょうだい
Romaji: kyoudai N5

What does 兄弟 mean?

Translation and Meaning

brothers, siblings

Definition

It means siblings or brothers; used to refer to one’s male siblings or more generally to the group of siblings in a family. It is a common kinship term in everyday Japanese and appears in both casual speech and formal writing.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • brothers in the singular sense, i.e., male siblings, or collectively as siblings
  • the concept of the sibling pair or group within a family context
  • in extended usage it can refer to close peers or fellow members in a group as a fraternal term

Etymology

kyō dai from the on’yomi readings of 兄 and 弟, combined to form kyōdai; the individual kanji carry the meaning elder brother and younger brother, which underpins the word’s sense of a sibling pair

Composition

  • 兄 = elder brother
  • 弟 = younger brother
  • When combined, they denote a sibling pair or the concept of siblings, typically referring to male siblings

Usage

Used across formal and informal contexts to denote siblings; in everyday speech it commonly refers to brothers, and in more formal contexts such as genealogies or official documents it maintains a neutral kinship sense. Typical patterns include 兄弟がいる, 兄弟仲が良い, and 兄弟について.
💡 Tips
Imagine two brothers standing side by side, the elder one guiding the younger; this visual helps recall that kyōdai means siblings, with emphasis on the pair as a unit

Variations

  • kyōdai shimai (kyoudai shimai) meaning siblings including both genders
  • お兄さん (oniisan) older brother, 弟さん (otoutosan) younger brother

Example Phrases

  • 今日は兄弟と一緒にスーパーへ行って夕食を作る。
    Kyou wa kyoudai to issho ni Suupaa e itte yuushoku o tsukuru.
    Today my brother(s) and I go to the supermarket together and cook dinner.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (Kyou wa) – today
    • 兄弟 (kyoudai) – brother(s)
    • と (to) – and/with
    • 一緒に (issho ni) – together
    • スーパーへ (Suupaa e) – to the supermarket
    • 行って (itte) – go and / going
    • 夕食を (yuushoku o) – dinner
    • 作る (tsukuru) – make
    Uses 「兄弟」 as a noun meaning siblings; と links people, and 一緒に means ‘together’.
兄弟