弟
Younger Brother
| on’yomi | kun’yomi | Radicals |
|---|---|---|
| だい | おとうと |  + 弓 + ｜ + 丿 |
Meaning: Younger Brother
You have someone with horns, springs (on his feet), a stick, and is going down a slide. What type of person do you imagine? I’d say someone who’s an immature boy. That would be your younger brother.
Just pretend you have a younger brother for now, if you don’t. Also be sure to imagine this person really vividly. They look ridiculous. He is a stereotypical little kid (horns because horns are awesome, springs on his feet, and a stick – plus he’s going down a slide). Everything about someone like this screams “little brother.”
Reading: だい
Unfortunately he goes down this slide too fast, bounces off the bottom with his spring shoes, and then falls right on his stick. It goes through him, causing your little brother to die (だい).
Be sure to feel bad about your younger brother. He was your younger brother, after all… just not a very careful younger brother. Very tragic. Just think about all the things you could have done to prevent this from happening. Was there anything? Was it kind of your fault?
Vocabulary
Check out the vocab for this one – especially good if you have a younger brother, or any siblings at all. Still good even if you don’t, because other people have siblings.
弟（おとうと）＝ Younger Brother
兄弟（きょうだい）＝ Brothers & Sisters
- 兄 (older brother) + 弟 (younger brother)
When you know the meaning, the on’yomi, and the vocab meanings, move on to the next kanji.