noun
Familiar term for one's elder brother. It is more casual, rough, or affectionate than 兄, and may carry a respectful feeling toward the older brother rather than being polite speech.
うちの兄貴は東京で働いている。
My older brother works in Tokyo.
兄貴、
Big bro, I need to ask you about something.
noun
senior; older-brother figure
Used for a senior or respected older-brother-like figure in a group. It sounds familiar and often masculine; in ordinary school or workplace contexts, 先輩 is the safer neutral word.
職場の先輩を、みんなは親しみを込めて兄貴と呼んでいる。
Everyone affectionately calls the senior at work 'Aniki.'
noun
older man; older guy
Colloquial way to refer to a man older than oneself, often with a rough, streetwise, or familiar flavor rather than a neutral description of age.
店の前に、怖そうなアニキが立っていた。
A tough-looking older guy was standing in front of the shop.
Standard word for one's own elder brother; more neutral and less rough or affectionate than 兄貴.
Polite or friendly term for an older brother, or for a young man; less masculine or rough than 兄貴.
Neutral word for a senior at school, work, or in an organization; clearer and more broadly appropriate than calling someone 兄貴.
Written with 兄, 'elder brother,' and 貴, a character associated with honor or respect. The spelling reflects the word's respectful or affectionate older-brother nuance; the exact historical development is not specified.