姉妹 and 兄弟
Hi,

I don't understand those words.

Does 姉妹 mean "both sisters" like オルセン姉妹 ?
兄弟 should mean "both brothers". But dictionaries indicate that it means "brothers and sisters" or "siblings" (like a cousin).

So what is the meaning of "兄弟" and "姉妹" ? It's confused in my head.

Thank you

Question

姉妹 and 兄弟
Hi,

I don't understand those words.

Does  姉妹 mean "both sisters" like オルセン姉妹  ?
兄弟 should mean "both brothers".  But dictionaries indicate that it means "brothers and sisters" or "siblings" (like a cousin).

So what is the meaning of "兄弟" and "姉妹" ? It's confused in my head.

Thank you

Answer

こんにちは。
Well, 兄弟 can mean both younger brothers and older brothers, so if you have younger brothers or older brothers, you could say "I have 兄弟. " But it's common to say "I have 兄" if you have older brother, or you could say "I have 弟" if you have younger brothers. And also, 姉 means older sisters. 妹 means younger sisters. does it make sense? if don't, let me know:)

Answer

兄＞弟（男）
姉＞妹（女）

きょうだい＝兄弟（男）
きょうだい＝姉妹（女）
しまい　　＝姉妹（女）

Answer

Siter meens between the ladies.姉妹
brother is between the men.兄弟

So I don't say one in case of a man and a lady. 兄弟or姉妹

But 「do you have a brother？」say so when I question the man.
And 「do you have a sister？」say so when I question the lady.

It is often used.

And this question answer is 「I have a older（younger） brother（sister）.」

Answers · 6

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