How to Say ‘I have one younger sister.’ in Japanese
妹が一人います。
imouto ga hitori i masu
[ee-moh-toh gah hee-toh-ree i mahs]
💬 Usage Tip: The count goes after the person, right before います: 兄が二人います works the same way. 一人 "one person" is said (hitori) and 二人 (futari), not with the usual number readings.
Phrase Breakdown
妹が
imouto ga
a younger sister
妹 (imouto) means 'my younger sister'. Stretch the 'o': 'i-moo-to'. が (ga) marks who exists.
妹が来ました。
My younger sister came.
Words in this phrase
妹
imouto
[ee-moh-toh]
younger sister
Refers to one's own younger sister.
妹がいます。
I have a younger sister.
が
ga
[gah]
subject marker
が marks what “came out”: “The results (are what) came out.” Natural for announcements from staff/doctor.
けっかがでましたので、説明します。
Since the results are out, I’ll explain.
一人います。
hitori i masu
I have one
一人 (hitori) means one person. います (imasu) means 'to have' for people.
姉が一人います。
I have one older sister.
Words in this phrase
一人
hitori
[hee-toh-ree]
one person
Refers to one person in a group. Useful when explaining one guest's dietary restriction.
一人は魚が食べられません。
One person cannot eat fish.
い
i
[i]
be; exist
Part of 〜ている, showing an ongoing action or continuing state.
お待ちし てい ます。
I am waiting.
ます
masu
[mahs]
polite verb ending
A polite ending added to verbs in everyday formal speech.
資料を送りますと伝えました。
I said that I will send the materials.
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