भाई
bhāī/bʱɑː.iː/
The Hindi word for the English slang "bruh" is भाई (bhāī).
In a conversational context, saying भाई with a specific rising or falling intonation is used to express disbelief, shock or "bruh" moments.
Meaning: amazement or shock (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word भाई literally means "brother".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While the word means "brother", using it as an interjection to express shock or amazement is highly informal and colloquial.
How do you pronounce it?
The two-syllable word is pronounced bhāī.
Did you know?
- In Mumbai slang, भाई can refer to a powerful gang leader or underworld don, often used as a title of respect and fear.
- Hindi speakers may use भाई even when talking to a woman in very informal, gender-neutral slang contexts, though this is strictly colloquial.
- The word भाई is a distant linguistic cousin to the English word 'brother', both tracing back to the same Proto-Indo-European root.
Examples in context
- क्या हाल है, यार?What's up, bro?
- भाई, यह क्या हो गया!bhai, yeh kya ho gaya!Bruh, what just happened!
- भाई, तूने यह कैसे किया?bhai, tune yeh kaise kiya?Bruh, how did you do this?
- भाई, बहुत ही कमाल है!bhai, bahut hi kamaal hai!Bruh, that is amazing!
Example conversation
Aditya and Pooja are watching a very intense magic trick.
- आदित्य Adityaभाई, यह तो जादू है!bhai, yeh toh jaadu hai!Bruh, this is magic!
- पूजा Poojaसच में, बहुत अद्भुत है।sach mein, bahut adbhut hai.Really, it's wonderful.
- आदित्य Adityaभाई, मुझे अपनी आँखों पर विश्वास नहीं हो रहा।bhai, mujhe apni aankhon par vishwas nahi ho raha.Bruh, I can't believe my eyes.
- पूजा Poojaहाँ, यह वाकई चौंकाने वाला है।haan, yeh vaakai chaunkaane wala hai.Yes, it's truly shocking.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry भाई, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries भाई, CC BY-SA 4.0.
