Family Kanji: Mother, Father, Older & Younger Siblings

Family vocabulary is early-stage essential, but Japanese has a twist: you use different words for your own family (humble) versus someone else's (honorific). The kanji stay the same — the readings and politeness change.

The core six

Why two words per person

When you talk about your own family to others, Japanese humility lowers them: chichi, haha, ani. When you ask about or refer to someone else's family, you raise them with お…さん: otōsan, okāsan, onīsan. Using otōsan for your own dad to a stranger sounds slightly childish; using chichi for someone else's dad sounds rude.

Building outward

• 両親 (ryōshin) — parents (both).
• 兄弟 (kyōdai) — siblings (literally older + younger brother, but used generally).
• 姉妹 (shimai) — sisters.
• 家族 (kazoku) — family. 祖父 (sofu) grandfather, 祖母 (sobo) grandmother.