அண்ணன்
aṇṇaṉ/ɐɳːɐn/
The Tamil phrase for "big brother" is அண்ணன் (aṇṇaṉ).
அண்ணன் refers to a brother who is older than the speaker. In Tamil culture, this term is frequently used as a respectful honorific for any male who is slightly older than the speaker, even if they are not biologically related.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
அண்ணன் (aṇṇan) is the standard, formal way to refer to an older brother, whereas Annaa is an informal way to refer to a big brother.
How do you pronounce it?
aṇṇaṉ (/ɐɳːɐn/)
When do people say it?
Because the term is often used as a respectful honorific for males slightly older than oneself, you may use it for people outside your biological family.
Did you know?
- The root of the word, அண்ணா, dates back to Proto-Dravidian, making it a linguistic link to ancient South Asian history.
- In some traditional Tamil households, an older brother is not just a sibling but is expected to take on a paternal role if the father is absent, making அண்ணன் a term of authority.
- While அண்ணன் is used for an older brother, Tamil has a completely different word for a younger brother, meaning there is no single gender-neutral word for 'sibling' that covers both ages.
Examples in context
- அவர் என் அண்ணன்.Avar en annan.He is my big brother.
- அண்ணன் எங்கே?Annan enge?Where is big brother?
- என் அண்ணன் ஒரு மருத்துவர்.En annan oru maruthuvar.My big brother is a doctor.
Example conversation
Priya and Arun are talking about their family members at home.
- பிரியா Priyaஅருண், உன் அண்ணன் வந்தாரா?Arun, un annan vandhara?Arun, did your big brother come?
- அருண் Arunஇல்லை பிரியா, அவர் இன்னும் வரவில்லை.Illai Priya, avar innum varavillai.No Priya, he hasn't come yet.
- பிரியா Priyaஅவர் எப்போது வருவார்?Avar eppodhu varuvaar?When will he come?
- அருண் Arunஅவர் மாலையில் வருவார்.Avar maalaiyil varuvaar.He will come in the evening.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry அண்ணன், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries அண்ணன், CC BY-SA 4.0.
