Onyomi: ダイ, テイ, デ · Kunyomi: おとうと · Meanings: faithful service to elders, younger brother
Kanji for faithful service to elders, younger brother
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The kanji 弟 shows a younger person wearing simple clothing, symbolized by the strokes that look like a tied belt or sash. It originally represented a “younger brother,” someone who follows and learns from the elder. In Japanese culture, 弟 carries the meaning of humility, growth, and respect — the younger one who learns from others while developing his own strength.
A simple image of a young boy with a tied belt — 弟 means younger brother, the one who learns and follows.
Think of 弟 as a young boy tying his belt before following his big brother — it’s the kanji for the younger brother who learns and grows.```
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 弟 | おとうと | younger brother, little brother, kid brother | common JLPT-N1 JLPT-N5 Noun |
| 弟 | おと | younger brother (of an older brother), younger sister (of an older sister) | Noun |
| 弟 | おとと | younger sibling | Noun |
| 弟子 | でし | pupil, disciple, adherent, follower, apprentice, young person, teacher's student-helper | common Noun, Noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no' |
| 乙姫 | おとひめ | younger princess | Noun |
| 弟子入り | でしいり | becoming a pupil (of), becoming an apprentice | common Noun, Suru verb, Intransitive verb |
| 弟妹 | ていまい | younger brother and sister | Noun |
| 弟弟子 | おとうとでし | younger pupil (of the same master), younger disciple, junior member | Noun |
| 弟君 | おとうとぎみ | younger brother | Noun |
| 弟さん | おとうとさん | younger brother | Noun |