Understanding 従姉妹 (いとこ)
従姉妹 specifically refers to a female cousin in Japanese. It is a common word used in everyday conversation when talking about family relationships. Unlike the more general いとこ, which can mean any cousin regardless of gender, 従姉妹 emphasizes the female gender.
Usage and Context
You will often hear 従姉妹 used when distinguishing between male and female cousins, especially in family introductions or stories. It is polite and neutral in tone, suitable for both casual and formal contexts.
Common Collocations
- 従姉妹と遊ぶ (play with female cousin): used when talking about spending time together.
- 従姉妹の家 (female cousin's house): indicating possession or location.
- 従姉妹は〇〇歳です (female cousin is XX years old): stating age.
Tips for Learners
Remember that 従姉妹 is gender-specific. If you want to refer to a male cousin, use 従兄弟 (じゅうけいてい). Also, the reading いとこ is shared by both words, so context is important to understand which cousin is meant.
Avoid mixing up 従姉妹 with いとこ in writing if you want to specify gender, as いとこ alone is gender-neutral.