ভাই
bhai/bʱɑi/
The Assamese word for "brother" is ভাই (bhai).
ভাই refers to a male sibling. It is also frequently used as a colloquial vocative to address men of a similar or slightly younger age, functioning much like "bro" or "man" in English.
Meaning: male sibling (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ভাই refers to a male sibling, the term for a female sibling (sister) is ভনী.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the western and central regions of Assam, Dada or Da is used specifically to address an older brother.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is bhai. The IPA is /bʱɑi/.
Did you know?
- The Assamese ভাই shares the exact same ancient root as the English word 'brother', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European 'bʰréh₂tēr'.
- Assamese uses kinship terms like ভাই as honorifics in social settings to create a familial atmosphere even in professional environments.
- The Sanskrit ancestor of the word, ভ্ৰাতৃ, is the source of many high-register formal terms in many Indian languages, yet the modern Assamese version has become much more colloquial.
Examples in context
- তোমাৰ ভাইটি কিমান ওখ?How tall is your younger brother?This sentence is useful for asking about the height of a younger brother using ভাই.Tatoeba #12891450 by Mohsin_Ali, translation #9382459 by DJ_Saidez
- মোক সহায় কৰিবানে, ভাই?Could you help me, brother?This sentence shows how to use ভাই as a vocative when asking for help.Tatoeba #12282429 by Mohsin_Ali, translation #7593081 by feudalism
- মোৰ ভাইটি এইমাত্ৰ ওলাই গ’ল।My brother just left.This sentence is useful for stating that a brother has just departed using ভাই.Tatoeba #12538141 by Mohsin_Ali, translation #11275655 by Luornu
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nishita is asking Akash about his family.
- নিশিতা Nishitaতোমাৰ কিবা ভাই আছে নে?tomar kiba bhai ase ne?Do you have any brother?
- আকাশ Akashহয়, মোৰ এজন ভাই আছে।hoy, mor ejon bhai ase.Yes, I have one brother.
- নিশিতা Nishitaতেওঁ ক’ত পঢ়ে?teo kot porhe?Where does he study?
- আকাশ Akashমোৰ ভাইটি গুৱাহাটীত পঢ়ে।mor bhaiti guwahatiyit porhe.My brother studies in Guwahati.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries ভাই, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ভাই, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
