بھائی جان
bhāī jānrespectful, address
In Pakistan an older brother is addressed as بھائی جان (bhāī jān) or just بھائی (bhāī). When speaking about him you say بڑے بھائی (baṛe bhāī), which is literally "big brother".
Meaning: older brother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بھائی جان | bhāī jān | respectful, address |
| بڑے بھائی | baṛe bhāī | older brother |
| بھائی | bhāī | brother |
Younger siblings usually address an older brother with respect and avoid using his first name alone. بھائی جان adds warmth and respect.
Which one should you use?
بھائی is also used for men who are not relatives, like a shopkeeper or a driver, in the same way English speakers say "bro" but more politely.
Did you know?
- The ending جان in بھائی جان literally means "life" and works as a term of affection, as in امی جان (ammī jān) for mother.
Examples in context
- بھائی جان، آپ کب آئیں گے؟Bhāī jān, āp kab āʾeṅge?Brother, when will you come?
- میرے بڑے بھائی لاہور میں رہتے ہیں۔Mere baṛe bhāī Lāhaur meṅ rahte haiṅ.My older brother lives in Lahore.
- بھائی، ذرا مدد کیجیے۔Bhāī, zarā madad kījiye.Brother, please help a little.
Example conversation
Zara phones her older brother Faisal, who works in Dubai.
- Zaraبھائی جان، السلام علیکم۔Bhāī jān, Assalāmu ʿalaikum.Brother, peace be upon you.
- Faisalوعلیکم السلام، کیسی ہو؟Waʿalaikum assalām, kaisī ho?And upon you peace, how are you?
- Zaraٹھیک ہوں، آپ کب آ رہے ہیں؟Ṭhīk hūṅ, āp kab ā rahe haiṅ?Fine, when are you coming?
- Faisalاگلے مہینے ان شاء اللہ۔Agle mahīne inshāʾAllāh.Next month, God willing.
