弟 means “younger brother”

おとうと · otouto

Also: faithful service to elders

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): おとうと
On'yomi (Chinese reading): テイ, ダイ, デ

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 2 · 7 strokes

The story

A bow wrapped in cord: the younger brother learns discipline through practice, always following the elder's example. In Japanese families, the birth order shapes identity: 弟 carries both affection and the gentle weight of tradition.

Used in 兄弟 (kyoudai, siblings/brothers) and 弟子 (deshi, disciple/apprentice)

Where it comes from

Pictographic (象形文字): A bow wrapped with cord: learning discipline.

Originally depicted a bow (弓) with cord wound around it in a specific order. The younger brother is the one learning to string the bow, following in sequence after the elder. The character captured the idea of orderly succession.

To remember it: A bow with wrapping: the younger brother practices after the older one shows how!

Words with 弟

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

Example sentences

弟はサッカーが好きです。 My younger brother likes soccer.
兄弟は仲が良いです。 The siblings get along well.

Kanji that look like 弟

第 (ordinal prefix): 弟 is younger brother, 第 adds 竹 (bamboo) on top: bamboo slips used for ranking/numbering

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