WORD DETAIL
義兄
ぎけい
Examples
Included kanji
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
義兄is read asぎけいand is a kinship noun that refers in the examples to either an older sister’s husband or a wife’s older brother. - Basic usage: It identifies an older male relative by marriage or an older stepbrother, with the exact relationship supplied by context.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Relationship
- Check whether the context says
姉の夫or妻の兄; the English labelbrother-in-lawalone remains ambiguous.
- Check whether the context says
- Meaning range
- The recorded meaning can also include an older stepbrother, so the surrounding family description matters.

