եղբայր
eġbayr/jeχˈpɑjɾ/
The Armenian word for brother is եղբայր (eġbayr). It is also spelled ախպեր (axper).
Meaning: male sibling (noun)
Ways to say it
| Armenian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| եղբայր | eġbayr | /jeχˈpɑjɾ/ (Eastern Armenian) /jeχˈbɑjɾ/ (Western Armenian) |
|
| ախպեր | axper | /ɑχˈpeɾ/ (Eastern Armenian) /ɑχˈbeɾ/ (Western Armenian) |
alternative form |
The word is used to refer to a male sibling.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
եղբայր is the standard and formal way to say brother. In contrast, ախպեր is a common colloquial or slang term used among peers, similar to how English speakers use 'bro'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To create the definite form 'the brother', add the suffix –ը to the word to get եղբայրը. To make the word plural, 'brothers', use the form եղբայրներ.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is eġbayr. The sound /j/ is like the [y] in yes, /χ/ is like the [ch] in the Scottish loch, /p/ is like the [p] in sport and /ɑ/ is like the [a] in lava.
Did you know?
- In Armenian culture, the concept of a եղբայր often extends to 'blood brothers' or close companions who have sworn a bond of loyalty, mirroring the deep social value placed on fraternal kinship.
- The word եղբայր is a learned borrowing from Old Armenian, meaning the formal version used today was consciously preserved from the ancient language of the church and state.
- While եղբայր is the standard term, its colloquial counterpart ախպեր is so common in urban slang that it is often used to address even complete strangers in a friendly way.
Examples in context
- Սա քո եղբայրն է։This is your brother.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as your եղբայր.Tatoeba #13170623 by Proxima5, translation #8352990 by Adelpa
- Ո՞վ է քո եղբայրը:Who is your brother?This sentence is useful for asking for the identity of someone's եղբայր.Tatoeba #13170635 by Proxima5, translation #2647280 by CK
- Ես քո եղբայրն եմ:I'm your brother.This sentence is useful for stating that you are someone's եղբայր.Tatoeba #13170642 by Proxima5, translation #1977902 by Balamax
- Բարեւ եղբայր իմ։Hello, my brother.
- 119 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ani is asking Aram about his family.
- Անի AniԴու եղբայր ունե՞ս:Du yeghbayr unes?Do you have a brother?
- Արամ AramԱյո, ես մի եղբայր ունեմ:Ayo, yes mi yeghbayr unem.Yes, I have one brother.
- Անի AniՆա ավագ է, թե՞ կրտսեր:Na avag e, te krtser?Is he older or younger?
- Արամ AramԻմ եղբայրը ավագ է:Im yeghbayry avag e.My brother is older.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries եղբայր, ախպեր, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ախպեր, եղբայր, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
