• 兄あに — older brother
• 兄弟きょうだい — siblings / brothers
• 実兄じっけい — biological older brother
• 兄貴あにき — respected older brother
• 義兄ぎけい — brother-in-law (older)
• 兄上あにうえ — honored older brother

兄 is formed from a component that suggests “head” and the radical for legs (儿), implying a person standing above — an older brother or senior figure.

It often appears in family-related terms and respectful male references, sometimes even used metaphorically in social groups.

兄あには 大学だいがくで勉強べんきょうしています。
My older brother is studying at university.

兄あには 運転うんてんがとても上手じょうずです。
My older brother is very good at driving.

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