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onee-sama
What does onee-sama mean?
A revered, elegant senior 'big sister' figure, especially at all-girls schools, who is looked up to and adored by younger students. Central to the yuri/'Class S' tradition.
"Half the school swoons over the graceful onee-sama of the student council."
Origin
Japanese お姉様 (onee-sama), a highly respectful form of 'older sister'.
Frequently asked questions
What does onee-sama mean?
It's a highly respectful term for an admired, elegant older-sister figure — literally 'honored big sister' — who is looked up to and adored.
Where does the onee-sama archetype appear?
Especially at all-girls schools in anime and manga, central to the yuri and 'Class S' tradition where younger students idolise a graceful senior.
How is onee-sama different from onee-san?
Both mean 'older sister', but the -sama suffix makes onee-sama far more reverent and adoring than the everyday onee-san.
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