What is the meaning of 兄弟?

[The7thSamurai]

Minna no Nihongo says 兄弟 means 'brothers and sisters', and Jim Breen's definition says it means 'siblings', but when I look at the Jim Breen example page almost every translation talks only about 'brothers'. What gives?

 

[epigene]

Hi Bucko!

"Kyoudai" can mean both "siblings (regardless of gender)" and "brothers" depending on context.

In most cases, it means siblings. Regarding Jim Breen's examples, maybe it was just coincidence?? I'm not sure...

When kyoudai is used with special attention to gender, it can be written 姉妹、兄妹、姉弟 as well, although 姉妹 can also be read "shimai."

 

[The7thSamurai]

Thanks epigene, thought that would have been the case.