ചേട്ടൻ
cēṭṭaṉ/t͡ʃeːʈʈɐn/
In Malayalam, 'big brother' is said as ചേട്ടൻ (cēṭṭaṉ).
The term ചേട്ടൻ is used to refer to a brother who is older than the speaker. Beyond biological relationships, it is also a common social term used in Kerala to respectfully address any man who is slightly older than the speaker.
Which one should you use?
While ചേട്ടൻ refers specifically to an older brother, the terms chettathi or chechi are used when referring to an older sister.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of central Kerala, Valyettan is a common way to say big brother.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is romanized as cēṭṭaṉ and pronounced /tʃeːʈʈɐn/.
Did you know?
- The word ചേട്ടൻ has roots in the Sanskrit word ज्येष्ठ (jyeṣṭha), meaning 'eldest'.
- In Kerala, it is common to address a male shopkeeper or a stranger on the street as ചേട്ടൻ to show respect without knowing their name.
- A person might be called ചേട്ടൻ even if they are only a few months older, as the term defines a social role rather than a specific age gap.
Examples in context
- എന്റെ ചേട്ടൻ ഇന്ന് വരും.ente chettan innu varum.My big brother will come today.
- ചേട്ടൻ എവിടെയാണ്?chettan evideyanu?Where is big brother?
- ചേട്ടൻ പാട്ടു പാടുന്നു.chettan pattu padunnu.Big brother is singing a song.
Example conversation
Vishnu is asking Sridevi about her family.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuനിനക്ക് ചേട്ടൻ ഉണ്ടോ?Ninakk chettan undo?Do you have a big brother?
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅതെ, എനിക്ക് ഒരു ചേട്ടൻ ഉണ്ട്.Athe, enikku oru chettan undu.Yes, I have a big brother.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuചേട്ടൻ എവിടെയാണ് ജോലി ചെയ്യുന്നത്?Chettan evideyaanu joli cheyyunnathu?Where does your big brother work?
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviചേട്ടൻ ബാംഗ്ലൂരിൽ ആണ് ജോലി ചെയ്യുന്നത്.Chettan Bangaloreil aanu joli cheyyunnathu.My big brother works in Bangalore.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ചേട്ടൻ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ചേട്ടൻ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
