JLPT N4 · 7 strokes
Kanji 弟: "younger brother, faithful service to elders"
The kanji 弟 means "younger brother, faithful service to elders". It is written with 7 strokes and belongs to JLPT level N4, read テイ, ダイ, デ in on'yomi and おとうと in kun'yomi.
Stroke order
Strokes are written in the order of the numbers. The order is not decorative: it is what gives the character its balance, and it is also how handwriting search works in Japanese dictionaries.
Readings
On'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading)
テイダイデ
Kun'yomi (native Japanese reading)
おとうと
In a kun'yomi reading, the dot separates the kanji from its okurigana: かた.る is read かたる and written 語る. A hyphen marks a bound position, like -び in 日.
At a glance
| Meaning | younger brother, faithful service to elders |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 7 |
| JLPT level | N4 |
| Taught in Japan | grade 2 |
| Frequency rank | 1161 of 2,501 |
Common words with 弟
The most frequent words using this kanji, most common first, with furigana readings. Click one to open it in the reader.
- 弟younger brother; little brother; kid brother · brother-in-law (spouse's younger brother or younger sister's husband)
- 兄弟brothers and sisters; siblings · half-siblings; step-siblings; siblings by marriage or adoption
- 弟子pupil; disciple; adherent; follower
- 姉弟older sister and younger brother
- 従兄弟cousin (male)
- 弟さんyounger brother
- 弟子入りbecoming a pupil (of); becoming an apprentice
- 子弟children; sons; children and younger brothers · young people
- 師弟teacher and student
- 義弟brother-in-law (spouse's younger brother or younger sister's husband) · younger stepbrother
- 王弟king's younger brother; royal brother
- 舎弟one's younger brother · underling (e.g. in yakuza); junior male peer; sworn younger brother
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