Choose family terms for a specific conversation. When speaking politely about your family to an outsider, some terms differ from the words used for someone else’s family.
Distinguish reference from address
父 and 母 are common ways to refer to your own parents when speaking to an outsider. お父さん and お母さん commonly refer to another person’s parents and can also be used to address your own parents at home. The choice is not a simple ban on using お母さん for your own mother in every setting.
Similarly, 兄 and 姉 refer to your own older siblings in this polite outside-family pattern, while お兄さん and お姉さん can refer to someone else’s. Actual family language varies by relationship and situation, so the prompts specify the intended setting.
Keep age relationships visible
English “brother” alone does not say whether the person is older or younger. Japanese 兄 and 弟 do. When the distinction matters, identify the relationship before choosing a word; do not infer age from a person’s name.
Examples to read before you practise
Japanese | Reading / English |
|---|---|
父 | ちち — my father, referring to him to an outsider |
母 | はは — my mother, in that setting |
兄 | あに — my older brother |
姉 | あね — my older sister |
弟 | おとうと — younger brother |
妹 | いもうと — younger sister |
お父さん | おとうさん — father; respectful reference / familiar address |
お母さん | おかあさん — mother; respectful reference / familiar address |
Try six questions
Use the interactive practice below. Type only the requested expression. Kanji and kana alternatives are accepted where listed in the answer key. Completing a question records a result; opening the answer key does not.
Refer to your father to an outsider using the plain family noun in the table.
Refer to your mother to an outsider using the plain family noun.
Your older brother, using the plain family noun.
Your younger brother.
Your older sister, using the plain family noun.
Ask politely about someone else’s mother: type the respectful family noun.
Answer key and explanations
父 / ちち — 父 fits the specified reference pattern.
母 / はは — 母 fits this setting.
兄 / あに — 兄 specifies an older brother.
弟 / おとうと — 弟 specifies a younger brother.
姉 / あね — 姉 specifies an older sister.
お母さん / おかあさん — お母さん fits the specified respectful reference.
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