What are the ways to refer to family members in Japanese? This time, we will explain how to refer to mother, father, older brother, older sister, younger sister, younger brother, grandfather, and grandmother.
1.What to call your mother
- Mother (okāsan)
"Okaasan" is a common way to call a mother in Japanese. Some people may call her "kāchan" or "kāsan." There is also a very polite way to call a mother, "okāsama." "Okaasan" is often used when calling someone else's mother, not your own mother. A daughter-in-law may also use "okāsama" to call her mother-in-law.
Example sentences
Thank you, Mom, for always watching over me with such warmth.
Okāsan, itsumo atatakaku mimamotte kurete arigatō.
Mom, thank you for always watching over me warmly.
Example sentences
Mom, is dinner ready yet?
Kāsan, yūhan mada?
Mom, is dinner ready yet?
Example sentences
Is it your mother's birthday tomorrow?
Ashita wa okāsama no tanjōbi desu ka?
Is tomorrow your mother's birthday?
- Mom (okan)
"Okan" is a Kansai dialect word used to call one's mother.
Example sentences
Mom, is dinner ready yet?
Okan, gohan mada?
Mom, is dinner ready yet?
- Mother
"Ofukuro" is a way of calling one's mother, and is now mostly used by men.
Example sentences
The lunch my mother made for me is delicious.
Ofukruro ga tsukutte kureta obentō wa oishī.
The lunch which my mother makeshis delicious.
- Mama
"Mama" is a way of calling your mother, and is a slightly childish expression. Therefore, even if children use "mama," they often switch to "okasan" or something similar when they become adults.
Example sentences
I love you, mom!
Mama daisuki!
I love you, Mommy!
By the way, "mama" is sometimes used to address the hostess of a bar or pub.
Example sentences
Mom, my usual drink please!
Mama, itsumo no osake onegai!
Miss, give me the liquor I always drink!
- Mother
"Hahaue" is a respectful way of addressing one's mother. In modern times, "hahaue" is rarely used. However, "hahaue" is still sometimes used in historical dramas.
Example sentences
I read your letter from your mother.
Hahaue kara no otayori wo haiken shimashita.
I read a letter from my mother.
- mother (haha)
"Haha" is a humble word for mother, and is used when calling one's mother to others.
Example sentences
My mother is always taking care of me.
Uti no haha ga itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu.
Thank you for always looking after my mother.
2. How to call your father
- Father (otōsan)
"Otosan" is a common way to refer to a father in Japanese. Similar to "okaasan," people may also refer to their father as "tōchan," "tōsan," or "otōsama."
Example sentences
Dad, thank you for always working hard.
Otōsan, itsumo oshigoto ganbatte kurete arigatō.
Dad, thank you for always working hard.
Example sentences
How is your father?
Otōsama wa ogenki desu ka?
How are you your father?
- Oyaji
"Oyaji" is a way of calling one's father, and is a word used mainly by men. People who call their father "oyaji" often call their mother "ofukuro."
Example sentences
Dad, how are you doing lately?
Is my father saikin genki ni shiteru?
Is Dad well these days?
"Oyaji" is sometimes used to mean "an older man" rather than "father."
Example sentences
He's become quite an old man.
Kare wa zuibun oyaji ni natta nā.
He's become quite an old man.
- Dad
"Oton" is a dialect of the Kansai region of Japan that is used to call one's father, similar to "okan."
Example sentences
Dad, what did you do today?
Oton, kyō wa nani wo shiteta no?
What did you do today, Dad?
- Papa
"Papa" is a word that, like "mama," is primarily used by children to call their fathers.
Example sentences
My dad is always kind!
Watashi no papa wa itsumo yasashī!
My daddy is always gentle!
Example sentences
Your dad is cool!
Kimi no papa wa kakkoī ne!
Your dad is cool!
- Father(chichi)
"Chichi" is a humble word for father, and like "haha," it is used when calling one's father to others.
Example sentences
My father retired from his company last year.
Chichi wa sakunen, kaisha wo taishoku shimashita.
My father left the company last year.
3. How to call your brother
- Older brother (nīsan)
"Nīsan" is one way of calling an older brother.
Example sentences
Brother Atsushi, would you like something to eat?
Atsushi-nīsan, nani ka taberu?
You want something to eat, Atsushi?
Similar to "nīsan" (older brother), "onīsan" (older brother) is sometimes used to call a "younger man" even if he is not your brother.
Example sentences
Hey, gentleman, can you tell me the way?
Chotto soko no onīsan. Michi wo oshiete hoshī.
Hey, there, big guy. Could you show me the way?
- Big brother (onīchan)
"Oniichan" is one way to call an older brother. It may be a more affectionate way of calling someone than "nīsan". Some people also call their older brother "nīchan".
Example sentences
Big brother Koichi, let's play together!
Kōichi-onīchan, issho ni asonde yo!
Koichi, play with me!
- Big Brother (aniki)
"Aniki" is an affectionate way of calling an older brother.
Example sentences
My brother is someone I can rely on.
Watashi no aniki wa tayoreru sonzai desu.
My brother is a reliable person.
"Aniki" can also be used to refer to a man older than you or the head of an organization, even if he is not your brother.
Example sentences
I'll follow you wherever you go, big brother!
Aniki ni doko made mo tsuite ikimasu!
I'll follow you anywhere, boss!
4. How to call your sister
- Older sister (nēsan)
"Nēsan" is one way to call your older sister.
Example sentences
Ayano-san is always in good spirits!
Ayano-nēsan wa itsumo genkida ne!
You're always so cheerful, Ayano!
"Nēsan" or "Onee-san" can be used to refer to a young woman, even if she is not your sister.
Example sentences
Hey, lady! Give me a beer.
Onēsan! Bīru chōdai.
Hey Miss! Give me a beer.
- Older sister (onēchan)
"Onee-chan (onēchan)" is one way to call an older sister. It may be a more affectionate way of calling someone than "nēsan (nēsan)." Some people also call their older sister "nēchan (nēchan)."
- Anego
"Anego" is a way of calling an older sister, but nowadays it can also mean "a woman you can rely on." A dependable woman or a woman who is good at taking care of others is often described as "anegohada."
Example sentences
She's a big sister type and everyone likes her.
Kanojo wa anegohada de, min'na kara sukarete iru.
She's a dependable person and loved by everyone.
5. How to call your younger sister or brother
In most cases, older brothers and sisters call their younger brothers "otōto" (younger brother) and younger sisters "imōto"(younger sister) by their names. For example, if you have a younger brother named "Tarō," you would just call him "Tarō."
Example sentences
Taro! You have to listen to your mother!
Tarō! Okāsan no iu koto wo kikanaito dameda yo!
Taro! You have to listen to your mom!
6. How to call your grandparents
- Grandpa and Grandma (ojīchan, obāchan)
"Grandpa "Ojīchan" is the word used to call grandfather, and "obāchan" is the word used to call grandmother. Some people also call them "jiichan" and "baachan."
Example sentences
I'm going to visit my grandpa during summer vacation.
Natsuyasumi wa ojīchan no ie ni asobi ni ikimasu.
During the summer vacation, I go to visit my grandpa's house.
- Grandpa and grandma (jīji, bāba)
"Jiji" is an affectionate way of calling grandfather, and "baaba" is an affectionate way of calling grandmother. They are often used by children to call their grandparents.
Example sentences
I can't wait to see my grandparents again.
Hayaku jīji to bāba ni aitai nā.
I want to see my grandpa and grandma soon.
In Japanese, there are many ways to refer to family members. Do you know how to call your aunts, uncles, great-grandfathers, and great-grandmothers in Japanese?
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