兄嫁

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 兄嫁 is read as あによめ and specifically refers to the wife of one's older brother.
• Basic usage: English sister-in-law is broader, so retain the particular Japanese family relationship when the distinction matters.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Scope of the relationship
  • 兄嫁 does not refer to every female in-law; it specifically identifies the wife of 兄, an older brother. Example: 兄嫁が家族の集まりに料理を持ってきた。
• Choosing a translation
  • The relationship may need to be made explicit as older brother's wife when a broad translation would hide who is related to whom. Example: 姉は兄嫁と一緒に買い物へ出かけた。