Translation and Meaning of: 従姉妹 - itoko

If you've ever wondered how the Japanese refer to that cousin who always shows up at family gatherings, the answer lies in 従姉妹 (いとこ). This word, which may seem simple at first glance, carries an interesting story behind its kanji and its usage in everyday life. In this article, we will explore everything from its etymology to curiosities about how this expression is applied in Japan, as well as tips for memorizing it effortlessly.

In addition to the basic meaning of "cousin (female)," you will discover here how the term is written in kanji, its origin, and even practical examples of use in everyday sentences. If you are studying Japanese, take the opportunity to note this information and include it in your Anki or another spaced repetition system — it will make all the difference in your learning!

Etymology and Kanji of 従姉妹

The word 従姉妹 is composed of three kanji: 従 (juu, "to follow"), 姉 (ane, "older sister") and 妹 (imouto, "younger sister"). Together, they form the idea of "sisters who follow the same family line," that is, cousins. Interestingly, the reading いとこ (itoko) does not directly derive from these ideograms, but rather from an ancient Japanese expression that was already in use before the introduction of Chinese characters.

What's interesting here is that, although the kanji 姉 means "older sister" and 妹 means "younger sister," the word 従姉妹 does not specify age — it can refer to any female cousin, regardless of whether she is older or younger than you. This is one of those peculiarities of Japanese that shows how the language has evolved differently from Chinese, even while using the same characters.

Lies in Japanese Everyday Life

In Japan, the term いとこ is quite common in conversations about family, especially in contexts such as local festivals or clan gatherings. Unlike in Portuguese, where we often specify "first cousin" or "distant cousin," Japanese tends to be more general — unless the degree of kinship needs to be clarified, which would require additional explanations.

A classic situation is during Obon, a holiday when families gather to honor their ancestors. During this time, it is common to hear phrases like "いとこが田舎から来る" (my cousin comes from the countryside). The term also appears in dramas and mangas, usually to introduce secondary characters who have a family connection to the protagonist, but without the closeness of siblings.

Tips for Memorizing and Curiosities

If you're struggling to remember that いとこ means "cousin," one tip is to associate the sound with the word "itinerant" — imagine a cousin who is always traveling to visit family. It may seem silly, but our brains love absurd connections to memorize vocabulary. Another strategy is to create flashcards with photos of famous cousins from animes or series you like.

A little-known curiosity is that, in feudal Japan, marriages between いとこ were relatively common in some regions to keep land and titles within the family. Nowadays, of course, this practice no longer exists, but you can still find historical references in period novels. So, have you ever thought about how you would explain your kinship in Japanese at the next family gathering?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 従妹 (いとこ) - Cousin
• おい - Sobrinho
• おば - Tia
• おばさん - tia (informal)
• おばちゃん - Tia (muito informal, carinhosa)
• おば様 - Tia (formal)
• おばあさん - Avó ou senhora idosa
• おばあちゃん - vovó

従姉妹

Romaji: itoko
Kana: いとこ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: cousin (female)

Meaning in English: cousin (female)

Definition: A cousin from the father's sister or the mother's sister.

Example Sentences - (従姉妹) itoko

See below some example sentences:

私の従姉妹はとても美しいです。

Watashi no jōshimai wa totemo utsukushii desu

My cousin is very beautiful.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "mine"
• 従姉妹 (joushimai) - noun meaning "second cousin"
• は (wa) - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my second cousin"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい (utsukushii) - adjective meaning "beautiful"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence