兄 means “older brother”

あに · ani

Also: elder brother, big brother

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

あに

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ケイ, キョウ

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 2 · 5 strokes

The story

Strength multiplied: the older brother is the protector, the guide, the first example.

Formal: 兄さん (onisan). Part of 兄弟 (kyoudai, siblings)

Its parts

• 口 Mouth · Top
• 儿 Legs/person · Bottom

A person (儿) who speaks (口) with authority: elder brother

Words with 兄

• 兄弟 (きょうだい, kyoudai): siblings
• 兄弟 (きょうだい, kyoudai): siblings / brothers

Kanji that look like 兄

• 見 (see / look): 見 has 目 on top (eye), 兄 has 口 on top (mouth): seeing vs speaking

More from People & Life

• 姉 older sister
• 嫌 hate
• 喜 joy
• 人 person
• 心 heart
• 愛 love
• 友 friend
• 生 life
• 男 man
• 女 woman
• 子 child
• 夢 dream

Learn 兄 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.