ಅಣ್ಣ
aṇṇa
The English phrase "bhaiya" can be translated into Kannada as ಅಣ್ಣ (aṇṇa).
The term ಅಣ್ಣ is used to address or refer to one's older brother. The term bhaiya is not commonly used in Kannada but is used informally in some urban contexts due to Hindi influence.
How do you pronounce it?
aṇṇa
Did you know?
- While ಅಣ್ಣ literally means 'elder brother', it is often used as a respectful title for any man slightly older than you, even if you are not related.
- The word ಅಣ್ಣ belongs to a highly ancient group of words that have survived from Proto-Dravidian, the ancestor of many modern South Indian languages.
- Using the Hindi-influenced bhaiya in a Kannada-speaking area can sometimes signal that you are an outsider or a migrant worker.
Examples in context
- ನನ್ನ ಅಣ್ಣ ತುಂಬಾ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯವನು.nanna anna tumbā oḷḷeyavanu.My older brother is a very good person.
- ಅಣ್ಣ, ನನಗೊಂದು ಸಹಾಯ ಬೇಕು.anna, nanagondu sahāya bēku.Older brother, I need some help.
- ಅವನು ನನ್ನ ಅಣ್ಣ.avanu nanna anna.He is my older brother.
Example conversation
Kavya is asking Rahul about his brother.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaರಾಹುಲ್, ನಿನ್ನ ಅಣ್ಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾನೆ?rāhul, ninna anna elliddāne?Rahul, where is your older brother?
- ರಾಹುಲ್ Rahulಅಣ್ಣ ಈಗ ಕಚೇರಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ.anna īga kachērige hōgiddāne.My older brother has gone to the office now.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಅವನು ಕೆಲಸ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ಬೇಗ ಬರುತ್ತಾನಾ?avanu kelasa mugisi bēga baruttānā?Will he come back soon after finishing work?
- ರಾಹುಲ್ Rahulಹೌದು, ಅಣ್ಣ ಸಂಜೆ ಬರುತ್ತಾನೆ.haudu, anna sañje baruttāne.Yes, my older brother will come in the evening.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ಅಣ್ಣ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಅಣ್ಣ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
