Ways to say it
| Gujarati | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ભાઈ | bhāī | /ˈbʱɑi/ (Gujarati, Standard) | masculine |
| માજાયો | mājāyo | masculine | |
| બંધુ | bandhu | masculine | |
| સહોદર | sahodar | masculine |
All provided forms are masculine nouns used to refer to a male sibling. The term ભાઈ is the standard and most common way to say brother in everyday conversation. It is also used colloquially to address male peers or even strangers, similar to how 'man' or 'dude' is used in English. The term બંધુ is a formal or literary term often used in poetic or highly respectful contexts. The term સહોદર is a formal term meaning a biological brother.
Which one should you use?
While ભાઈ is the standard term, you can specify age by using adjectives. Use મોટા ભાઈ to refer to an elder brother and નાના ભાઈ to refer to a younger brother. The term માજાયો is another form for brother. બંધુ acts as both 'brother' and 'companion' in formal settings. સહોદર is used specifically to emphasize being born from the same womb.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ભાઈ is the common, standard term for everyday use. To show respect to an elder or to add formality to ભાઈ, you can use the forms Bhaiji or Bhaishab. બંધુ is a formal or literary version used in poetry or highly respectful contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
bhāī (/ˈbʱɑi/)
When do people say it?
In many parts of Gujarat, ભાઈ is used colloquially to address any male peer or even a stranger, similar to 'man' or 'dude' in English.
Did you know?
- The term ભાઈ is a cognate with the Romani word phral for 'brother'.
- In Gujarati culture, adding the suffix -ભાઈ to a man's first name is a common way to show respect, even if there is no family relation.
- The word સહોદર literally means 'same womb', coming from સહ meaning 'same' and ઉદર meaning 'belly'.
Examples in context
- ભાઈની પુત્રી ને ભત્રીજી ક્હેવાયA niece is the daughter of a brother.This sentence explains the relationship between a niece and a ભાઈ.Tatoeba #6171319 by Rav, translation #6171302 by RobinvanderVliet
- તેણે પોતાના ભાઈને બચાવવા લોહી આપ્યુંHe gave blood in order to save his brother.This sentence shows how to use ભાઈ when talking about saving a sibling.Tatoeba #6171980 by Rav, translation #6171136 by RobinvanderVliet
- મોટા ભાઈOlder brotherThis sentence demonstrates how to specify an older ભાઈ.
Example conversation
Aryan and Niya are discussing Aryan's family during a phone call.
- આર્યન Aryanમારો ભાઈ અત્યારે બહાર છે.māro bhāī atyāre bahāre che.My brother is out right now.
- નિયા Niyaશું તે તારો નાનો ભાઈ છે?shu te tāro nāno bhāī che?Is he your younger brother?
- આર્યન Aryanહા, તે મારો નાનો ભાઈ છે.hā, te māro nāno bhāī che.Yes, he is my younger brother.
- નિયા Niyaસારું, જ્યારે તે આવે ત્યારે મને કહેજો.sāru, jyaare te āve tyāre mane kahejo.Okay, let me know when he arrives.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries ભાઈ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ભાઈ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
