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If I'm asked, "兄弟がいますか。" and my only siblings are a younger step brother and
younger step sister, should/can I respond "はい、いもうととおとうとがいます。"? Do I need to
specify but still answer in the affirmative? Or does my answer need to be
negative?
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2019-10-28T23:16:05.207
72805
2019-10-31T17:40:48.743
26558
question
word-choice word-usage definitions semantics
Should I include my step-siblings as 兄弟?
In general, I feel you can safely say yes, especially if you already consider
them to be part of your family. Compare 義理のきょうだい (sibling-in-law, i.e. the
spouse of your siblings / the siblings of your spouse), which is not usually
included in plain きょうだい. I don't think there is any language- or culture-
specific occasions where you have to mention the step- part for the children
of your parent-in-law.

You might want to share further details depending on the context and to whom
you're talking to, apparently, in which case you could use phrases like
血の繋がっていない (i.e. not biologically related), 異父兄弟/異母兄弟 (siblings who share the
biological mother/father, respectively), etc.
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2019-10-31T03:32:05.580
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2019-10-31T03:32:05.580
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To avoid step/in laws relation and blood relation confusion, Japanese language
do have word as @Yosh mentioned. (ぎりーin laws/related by marriage)

To reveal it or not and to whom you reveal it that is totally your choice. As
this is not something related to language, it is your personal decision.

Japanese people greatly respect each other's personal space. If you say
「はい、いもうととおとうとがいます。」 no one is going to ask you ぎりのきょうだいですか？ or
けつえんかんけいきょうだいですか？

So, please don't hesitate to either keep it to yourself or say it out loud.
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2019-10-31T06:46:19.490
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2019-10-31T17:40:48.743
2019-10-31T17:40:48.743
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answer