妹

younger sister

JLPT N4 Grade 2 8 strokes

Kun'yomi: いもうと
On'yomi: マイ
Radical: 女 · woman (woman, female)

妹 means "younger sister". It is a JLPT N4 kanji written in 8 strokes. It is read いもうと in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and マイ in compounds (on'yomi). Japanese schoolchildren learn it in grade 2.

Example word

妹いもうと

younger sister

妹 in example sentences

妹いもうとさんは元気げんき？

Imoutosan wa genki?

How's your sister?
あの人ひと、君きみの妹いもうと？

Ano hito, kimi no imouto?

Is that your sister?
私わたしの妹いもうとは有名ゆうめいだ。

Watashi no imouto wa yuumei da.

My sister is famous.

Example sentences from the Tatoeba Project, licensed CC-BY 2.0 FR.

Stroke order & writing

Want more? Practice writing from memory. Stroke-order and animation sources are on our credits page.

Words that use 妹

More 女 (woman) kanji

Common questions

What does the kanji 妹 mean?: 妹 means "younger sister". It is a JLPT N4 kanji.
How many strokes does 妹 have?: 妹 is written in 8 strokes.
How is 妹 read?: It is read いもうと in native Japanese words (kun'yomi) and マイ in compounds (on'yomi).
What JLPT level is 妹?: 妹 is a JLPT N4 kanji.

Explore on the kanji map → Practice kanji