お姉さん

• Reading: おねえさん
• Romaji: oneesan
• Kanji breakdown: 姉 (nee/ane) — older sister; お〜さん — honorific address form
• Pronunciation: /o.neː.saɴ/

Meaning

Older sister; elder sister. The polite or familiar term of address.

The honorific form used when addressing your own older sister directly or referring to someone else's older sister. Can also be used to address a young woman you don't know. Contrasts with 姉, the humble form used when talking about your own sister to outsiders.

Examples

1. お姉さんは大学で何を勉強していますか。 What is your older sister studying at college?
2. お姉さんにこの本をもらいました。 I got this book from my older sister.
3. 佐藤さんのお姉さんはピアノが上手です。 Sato's older sister is good at piano.

Usage Guide

Context: home life, talking about others' sisters, direct address

Tone: warm

Origin & History

Formed by adding the honorific prefix お to 姉さん (neesan). Follows the same honorific pattern used for all family terms.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo period

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal