姉妹
しまい
hepburn shimai
sisters (own)
Part of speech · noun
Pattern visualization
no decomposition available
Examples
- 私たちは三人姉妹です。We are three sisters.
- 姉妹都市の交流が始まりました。Sister-city exchange has begun.
Collocations
姉妹 (shimai, sisters)兄弟 (kyoudai, siblings / brothers)姉妹都市 (shimai toshi, sister city)三姉妹 (san shimai, three sisters)姉妹校 (shimai kou, sister school)
Mnemonic
Shimai is 姉 (ane, older sister) + 妹 (imouto, younger sister) compounded as a collective noun for "sisters." Used for your own family or others; the collective form is neutral so humility rules apply less directly. Compare kyoudai (siblings / brothers) which can cover mixed-gender siblings. The word extends abstractly: shimai toshi (sister city), shimai kou (sister school) — two entities held as close as biological sisters. Korean jamae and Chinese 姐妹 align.
Quick check
Most common abstract extension of shimai?