kwv tij
/kɨ˧˦ ti˥˧/word by word
The Hmong word for brother is kwv tij. Wiktionary also lists kwv and tij.
Meaning: male sibling (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hmong | IPA |
|---|---|
| kwv tij | /kɨ˧˦ ti˥˧/ (word by word) |
| kwv | /kɨ˧˦/ |
| tij | /ti˥˧/ |
| tij laug | /ti˥˧.lau̯˧˩̤/ |
| nus | /nu˩/ |
kwv tij means brother, but it is often used more broadly than just biological brothers to refer to male relatives or close male kin in a general sense.
What does it mean word for word?
kwv tij is a compound word where kwv and tij both relate to the concept of brothers or siblings.
Which one should you use?
While kwv tij is a general term for brothers, tij laug specifically refers to an older brother. The term nus is also a form used for brother.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɨ˧˦ ti˥˧/
Did you know?
- Because Hmong society is organized by strict patrilineal clans, calling a stranger kwv tij if they share your clan name is a way to establish an instant familial bond.
- The Hmong words for 'older' and 'younger' brother may be the exact opposite of the Chinese words gē and dì from which they possibly descended.
- The structure of kwv tij is a compound that essentially pairs the concepts of 'younger' and 'older' to create a collective term for all brothers.
Examples in context
- Nws yog kuv tus kwv tij.He is my brother.
Example conversation
Cheng and Kao are talking about their families.
- ChengKao, koj puas muaj kwv tij?Kao, do you have a brother?
- KaoTseem muaj, kuv muaj ib tug kwv tij.Yes, I have one brother.
- ChengNws puas nyob ntawm no?Is he here?
- KaoTsis tau, nws nyob hauvnroog.No, he is in the village.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries kwv, tij, tij laug, nus, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (kwv, tij) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kwv, tij, CC BY-SA 4.0.
