弟
younger brother · faithful service to elders
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of arrows tied with string. Indicating order.
Symbolism
Younger brother, siblings, disciples. Represents younger sibling.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Ice crystals
Anime & Manga
鋼の錬金術師
Fullmetal Alchemist(2001)
Story of a brother striving to restore 'younger brother' Alphonse's body.
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
四海兄弟
しかいけいてい
people in the whole world being all brothers; universal brotherhood; people in the whole world being all brothers
Proverbs & Idioms
兄たり難く弟たり難し
けいたりがたくていたりがたし
Hard to be brother, hard to be younger brother
Equally matched with no clear superior
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 弟 mean in Japanese?
弟 means younger brother, faithful service to elders.
How do you read 弟?
On'yomi: テイ、ダイ、デ (TEI, DAI, DE). Kun'yomi: おとうと (otouto).
How many strokes does 弟 have?
弟 has 7 strokes. Its radical is 弓 (bow).
Is 弟 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 弟 (younger brother, faithful service to elders) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.