Which one should you use?
While भाऊ is the general term for a brother, speakers often use more specific terms to indicate seniority, such as लहान भाऊ for a younger brother or दादा for an elder brother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term दादा (dādā) is a common, informal way to refer to an elder brother, often used as a respectful or affectionate way to address an older male peer.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the oblique case, भाऊ changes to भावा. This occurs when the word follows a postposition, such as ला (to) or चा (of). For example, the form भावाचा is used to say "brother's" because the word enters the oblique case before the possessive suffix is added.
How do you pronounce it?
bhāū is pronounced /bʱau/.
When do people say it?
The term दादा is frequently used not just for an actual elder brother, but as a term of respect or affection for an older male peer in social settings.
Did you know?
- The Marathi word भाऊ shares an ancient root with the English word 'brother'. Both can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word *bʰréh₂tēr.
- In Marathi culture, the relationship between a brother and sister is celebrated through the भाऊबीज festival, where sisters pray for their brothers' long lives.
- In certain street-level or political contexts in Maharashtra, भाऊ is used as a slang term for a 'big brother' or a local strongman who provides protection.
Examples in context
- तो माझा भाऊ आहे.He is my brother.Tatoeba #2087557 by sabretou, translation #250680 by CK
- माझा एक भाऊ आहे.I have one brother.Tatoeba #2106258 by sabretou, translation #256071 by CK
- मी तुझा भाऊ आहे.I'm your brother.Tatoeba #2435277 by sabretou, translation #1977902 by Balamax
- 142 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their family members.
- अमित Amitअदिती, तुझा भाऊ कुठे आहे?Aditi, tujhā bhāū kuṭhe āhe?Aditi, where is your brother?
- अदिति Aditiमाझा भाऊ शाळेत गेला आहे.mājhā bhāū śāḷet gelā āhe.My brother has gone to school.
- अमित Amitतो कधी परत येईल?to kadhī parat yeīl?When will he return?
- अदिति Aditiतो संध्याकाळी येईल.to sandhyākāḷī yeīl.He will come in the evening.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brother” translations and entries भाऊ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries भाऊ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
