“O-” This prefix indicates respect. On other forms of sister, it’s optional, but if you dropped it from “oneesama,” because. . . “-sama” is the most respectful honorific in mainstream Japanese. It emphasizes that the speaker is lower in status than the person they’re talking about. [2] X Research source In Japanese-to-English translations, this is often translated as “Lord,” “Lady,” or “Sir. " (It is used for either gender. ) Dropping “o-” while using “-sama” would be something like saying “his Highness, the illustrious buddy of mine. " “Ne” or “nee” can be found in every Japanese word for “elder sister. "
“Oneesan” is more polite, due to the “o-”. [3] X Research source “-san” is respectful. You would use it with people socially equal to you or with someone you don’t know very well.
“-chan” is an honorific used almost exclusively on females. This is a casual, friendly, even endearing honorific that you might use talking to a small child, or a schoolgirl might use for her good friends. [4] X Research source The respectful “o-” combined with the friendly “-chan” gives the formal a feeling of adoration.
Note the “-ne-” common to “older sister” words.
“Ane” is pronounced as above. “ki” sounds like key. Don’t drag out the “ey” sound, though. Keep it short, as demonstrated before.
Don’t add honorifics “-chan” or “-kun” to the end. These are only used with “imouto” when you’re being rude and condescending to your little sister. Add “-san” when talking about someone else’s little sister. “-ou-” means you double the “o” sound, as before with the “e” sound in “nee. " “i” and “o” are pronounced as above. The “m” and “t” sound as they do in English.
