An honorific or respectful way to refer to or address one's older brother.
兄さんは大学で法律を勉強しています。
My older brother is studying law at university.
すみません、兄さんによろしくお伝えください。
Excuse me, please give my regards to your older brother.
兄さんは家族にとって頼れる存在だ。
My older brother is someone the family can rely on.
A term used for an older-male figure (not necessarily a sibling), often implying camaraderie or respect—an older-brother type at work or in a group.
居酒屋の大将は若い職人たちから『兄さん』と呼ばれている。
The tavern owner is called 'niisan' by the young craftsmen.
彼はチームの兄さん的存在で、皆から慕われている。
He is the team's older-brother figure and is admired by everyone.
仕事仲間の年上の男性に『兄さん』と親しげに呼びかけた。
She addressed an older male coworker familiarly as 'niisan'.
A familiar vocative for a young man (e.g., addressing a waiter or stranger): 'hey, young man' or 'buddy'.
通りすがりに『兄さん、道を教えてください』と呼びかけた。
Someone called out, 'Hey, young man, please tell me the way.'
居酒屋で『兄さん、ビール二つ！』と頼んだ。
At the izakaya someone called, 'Young man, two beers!'