दाजु
dāju[d̪ä(d)zu]
In Nepali, 'big brother' is translated as दाजु (dāju).
The term दाजु is a polite way to refer to an older brother. It is also frequently used as a respectful title for any man who is older than the speaker, regardless of whether they are biological brothers.
Which one should you use?
While दाजु is a respectful term for an older brother, दाइ (dai) is a more common and slightly more informal way to address an older brother or an older male peer.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an honorific, दाजु can function as a standalone vocative, meaning it can be used by itself to address or call out to someone.
How do you pronounce it?
dāju
Did you know?
- The word दाजु originates from Classical Newar, a language spoken primarily in the Kathmandu Valley, rather than from the Indo-Aryan root of Nepali.
- In some traditional Nepali households, younger siblings may never address their elder brother by his actual name, using only दाजु or दाइ for their entire lives.
- In many parts of Nepal, even if you are complete strangers to a man, calling him दाजु can immediately transform a tense interaction into a friendly, communal one.
Examples in context
- मेरो दाजु घरमा हुनुहुन्छ।mero daju gharma hunuhunchha.My big brother is at home.
- दाजु, मलाई मद्दत गर्नुहोस्।daju, malai maddat garnuhos.Big brother, please help me.
- उहाँ मेरो दाजु हुनुहुन्छ।uha mero daju hunuhunchha.He is my big brother.
Example conversation
Pratiksha is asking Roshan about his family.
- रोशन Roshanम र मेरो दाजु सँगै पढ्छौं।Ma ra mero daju sangai padhchau.My big brother and I study together.
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaए, तिम्रो दाजु कस्तो हुनुहुन्छ?E, timro daju kasto hunuhunchha?Oh, what is your big brother like?
- रोशन Roshanउहाँ धेरै दयालु हुनुहुन्छ।Uha dherai dayalu hunuhunchha.He is very kind.
- प्रतिक्षा Pratikshaसुनेर खुसी लाग्यो, रोशन।Sunera khusi lagyo, Roshan.I am glad to hear that, Roshan.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry दाजु, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries दाजु, CC BY-SA 4.0.
