Japanese · Family & People
お姉さん
oneesan
Older sister
Beginnernoun
Definition
The respectful term for an older sister. When referring to your own, you use 姉 (ane). Also used to address a young woman respectfully.
Example
お姉さんは結婚していますか？
Is your older sister married?
Etymology
'お姉さん' (oneesan) is a combination of the honorific prefix 'お' (o) and '姉' (ane), which means 'older sister'. It evolved from older Japanese terms for family relations, reflecting respect and affection.
How & Where It’s Used
'お姉さん' (oneesan) is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, often in spoken Japanese to address or refer to older sisters or young women in a respectful manner. There's a regional variation in tone and usage, as in some areas it can imply a slightly more affectionate or informal feeling.