Meaning and Usage
"妹" (いもうと) specifically means "younger sister" and is used to refer to a female sibling who is younger than the speaker. It is a humble term used when talking about your own younger sister.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "妹" in family conversations, introductions, or when talking about siblings in daily life. It is a straightforward noun without honorifics, but it implies a close family relationship.
Collocations and Patterns
- 妹さん (いもうとさん): polite way to refer to someone else's younger sister.
- 私の妹 (わたしのいもうと): my younger sister.
- 妹に〜をあげる: to give something to my younger sister.
Tips for Learners
Be careful not to confuse "妹" with "姉" (あね, older sister) or "姉妹" (しまい, sisters). When talking about someone else's younger sister, use "妹さん" to be polite. "妹" is neutral and common in casual and formal speech when referring to your own younger sister.