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How to Say ‘I have one older brother.’ in Japanese

私は兄が一人います。

watashi wa ani ga hitori i masu

[wah-TAH-shee wah AH-nee ga hee-TOH-ree i mahs]

Phrase Breakdown

私は

watashi wa

As for me / I

私 ('watashi') means 'I'. は is read 'wa' as the topic marker.

Example

私は日本人です。

I am Japanese.

Words in this phrase

私

watashi

[wah-TAH-shee]

I; me

The standard polite word for 'I', used by anyone.

Example

私は学生です。

I am a student.

は

[wah]

topic marker; as for

Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'

Example

本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。

Thank you for giving me your time today.

兄が

ani ga

my older brother

兄 ('ani') means my own older brother. が ('ga') marks the subject.

Example

兄が二人います。

I have two older brothers.

Words in this phrase

兄

ani

[AH-nee]

older brother (my own)

Used for your own older brother when talking to others.

Example

兄は会社員です。

My older brother is an office worker.

が

[ga]

subject marker

A particle marking the subject of the sentence.

Example

興味がある分野を教えてください。

Please tell me the field you are interested in.

一人います。

hitori i masu

I have one

一人 ('hitori') means one person. います ('imasu') means 'there is / I have' for people.

Example

妹が一人います。

I have one younger sister.

Words in this phrase

一人

hitori

[hee-TOH-ree]

one person

The number one used with people.

Example

一人で準備します。

I'll prepare it alone.

い

[i]

be; exist

Part of 〜ている, showing an ongoing action or continuing state.

Example

お待ちしています。

I am waiting.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite present/future ending

ます makes a verb polite in present or future statements.

Example

予約します。

I will make a reservation.

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