字 Kanji Decipher

Meaning & readings

elder brother, big brother

On’yomi ケイ、キョウ
Kun’yomi あに
Nanori え、せ、よし

Origin

This character combines two parts to represent an elder brother. The top part, a square, represents the mouth or a person, while the bottom part shows legs or a standing person. Together, they depict a figure who stands taller and more prominent — the idea of an older, senior family member. The character's structure suggests someone of greater maturity and authority within the family hierarchy.

AI-generated (claude-haiku-4-5), not yet reviewed. Formation type (automated guess): Compound ideographic (combined meanings).

兄 5 strokes

Components

  • 口 radical top
  • 儿 radical bottom

Common words

  • 義兄 ぎけい brother-in-law (spouse's older brother or older sister's husband)
  • 兄貴 あにき elder brother
  • 兄弟 きょうだい brothers and sisters; siblings
  • 実兄 じっけい biological older brother
  • 父兄 ふけい guardians; parents
  • 兄さん にいさん older brother; elder brother
  • 従兄弟 いとこ cousin (male)
  • お兄さん おにいさん older brother; elder brother

Related kanji

Same radical

Reference

Strokes
5
Kangxi radical
10
Grade
Grade 2 (Kyōiku)
Frequency rank
#1219 (newspapers)
Former JLPT
level 3
Unicode
U+05144