Translation guide
In Japanese, there is no single common word that directly translates to "brothers and sisters." Instead, you use the word for "siblings" (兄弟) or describe them by relative age and gender. The best choice depends on formality and whether you are talking about your own siblings or someone else's.
Referring to one's own or someone else's brothers and sisters collectively without specifying gender.
The standard word for 'siblings.' Despite the kanji meaning 'brothers,' it is used gender-neutrally for brothers and sisters. Use with possessive pronouns like 私の (my) or あなたの (your).
私には兄弟が三人います。
I have three brothers and sisters.
兄弟はいますか？
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Polite form of 兄弟, used when referring to someone else's siblings. Add ご for respect.
ご兄弟は何人ですか？
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Distinguishing between older and younger brothers and sisters.
Literally 'older brother and older sister.' Use when you want to specify you have both older brothers and older sisters.
兄と姉がいます。
I have an older brother and an older sister.
Literally 'younger brother and younger sister.' Use for younger siblings.
弟と妹がいます。
I have a younger brother and a younger sister.
Literally 'older brother and younger brother.' Use when you have only brothers.
兄と弟が一人ずついます。
I have one older brother and one younger brother.
Literally 'older sister and younger sister.' Use when you have only sisters.
姉と妹がいます。
I have an older sister and a younger sister.
Asking or stating how many brothers and sisters someone has.
Pattern to say how many siblings you have. Replace [NUMBER] with the counter (一人, 二人, 三人, etc.).
兄弟が四人います。
I have four brothers and sisters.
Standard question to ask how many siblings someone has. Use ご兄弟 for politeness.
ご兄弟は何人ですか？
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
Expressing that someone has no siblings.
Means 'only child.' Use to say you have no brothers or sisters.
私は一人っ子です。
I'm an only child. (I have no brothers or sisters.)
Literally 'I don't have siblings.' A straightforward way to say you have no brothers or sisters.
兄弟がいません。
I don't have any brothers or sisters.
There is no direct Japanese word for 'brothers and sisters' as a plural phrase. Avoid literal translations like 兄たちと姉たち. Use 兄弟 (きょうだい) for a gender-neutral collective term.
When talking about your own siblings in Japanese, it's common to refer to them by name or role (e.g., お兄ちゃん, お姉ちゃん) rather than 'my brother' or 'my sister,' especially within the family.