It is both its like using oppa to any guy except they're really not siblings, you can use it on anyone for example in chinese a guy dropped his water bottle you can say to them gege you dropped your water bottle. And in filipino you can say kuya how much is this? When you're in the grocery and not be related. The english language kinda just use it as it is but in asia such words can be used when addressing someone. not just "brother" tho you can use uncle,aunt,sister when you talk to someone you dont even know in asia idk what its called but its like that. I do think it can be translated better but yeah.
It’s both culture and translation.
Most of Asia refers to others in a similar way. It could come off as more casual + shows closeness between people. While real siblings also use the same terms, you don’t actually need to be related or anything to use it… it’s based off gender and age.
Ex: A girl that’s older than you (not by much)
Koreans use noona and unnie. Viet people use chi. Chinese can use jiejie.
This all translates to “elder sister,” but again, you don’t need to be related to use it. That’s just the direct translation in English. You could translate it to “Ms. / Miss,” except, that seems more formal and distant. (it would also be somewhat incorrect)
A lot of English-only speakers will not understand and label it as pseudo-incest, while instead, it’s just a big culture difference. It’s weird to just say “sister/brother” in English, but it’s so normal in majority of other languages.
i agree with this, you explained it well. there's really not a direct translation on how asian countries use "sister/brother" to call someone who's older than them but still wants to express closeness/clingyness. i think it's because most asian countries value seniority or they try to give respect to someone older than them (especially elderly people).
I guess to contextualize this, your sibling's friends are also really close to you. Since they are older and are basically strangers, if not for the fact that they're a known friend, you might want to address them as Mr./Ms. or Sir/Ma'am (Again, not a direct translation to how we use it). But since they are a LOT closer to you even though they're older and not blood related, you refer to them as older sister/brother. Although there's a nuance to how you address your sibling compared to your sibling's friend.
I hope i added something to this
Is this due to translation or a culture difference. I just feel like the reoccurring “leave it to your sister” “younger brother” titles is a little weird especially if there’s a romance narrative going on between them
Apart from it being weird though. The constant brother/sister is so annoying. I want the romance to progress already and they keep bringing that up. It’s almost like I’m also getting friendzoned just from being the viewer