ചേട്ടൻ
cēṭṭaṉ/t͡ʃeːʈʈɐn/
In Malayalam, the phrase for elder brother is ചേട്ടൻ (cēṭṭaṉ).
ചേട്ടൻ is used to refer to a brother who is older than the speaker.
Which one should you use?
While ചേട്ടൻ refers to an elder brother, the term അനിയൻ is used to refer to a younger brother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ചേട്ടൻ is a common and affectionate informal term for an elder brother.
How does it change in a sentence?
ചേട്ടൻ is a singular noun and does not change its form to indicate plurality. For multiple elder brothers, you would typically use ചേട്ടന്മാർ.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is cēṭṭaṉ and the IPA is /tʃeːʈʈɐn/.
Did you know?
- In many parts of Kerala, you might use ചേട്ടൻ to address a complete stranger, such as a shopkeeper or a taxi driver, as a mark of respect.
- In traditional Kerala society, the ചേട്ടൻ often held significant legal and social authority over the younger siblings' marriages and inheritance.
- The word ചേട്ടൻ shares a deep linguistic root with the Sanskrit word 'jyeshta', which means 'eldest' or 'senior'.
Examples in context
- എന്റെ ചേട്ടൻ ഒരു ഡോക്ടറാണ്.ente chettan oru doctor-aanu.My elder brother is a doctor.
- ചേട്ടൻ എവിടെ പോകുന്നു?chettan evide pokunnu?Where is elder brother going?
Example conversation
Anjali is asking Arjun about his family.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഅർജുൻ, നിനക്ക് ചേട്ടൻ ഉണ്ടോ?Arjun, ninakku chettan undo?Arjun, do you have an elder brother?
- അർജുൻ Arjunഉണ്ട്, എന്റെ ചേട്ടൻ ഡോക്ടറാണ്.undu, ente chettan doctoraanu.Yes, my elder brother is a doctor.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഅത് കൊള്ളാം!athu kollam!That is great!
- അർജുൻ Arjunനന്ദി, അഞ്ജലി.nandi, Anjali.Thank you, Anjali.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ചേട്ടൻ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ചേട്ടൻ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
