ਛੋਟਾ ਭਰਾ
chhota bhra
The English phrase "little brother" is ਛੋਟਾ ਭਰਾ (chhota bhra) in Punjabi.
ਛੋਟਾ ਭਰਾ is used to refer to a male sibling who is younger than the speaker or another person. While this is the literal translation, in many Punjabi-speaking households, people often use the specific name of the sibling or a term of endearment rather than the formal title 'little brother' when speaking to or about them.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two parts: ਛੋਟਾ (chhota), meaning "small" or "little" and ਭਰਾ (bhra), meaning "brother".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase becomes ਛੋਟੇ ਭਰਾ (chhotē bhrā) when used as an oblique case, such as after a postposition (e.g., 'to my little brother').
How do you pronounce it?
chhota bhra
Did you know?
- The term ਭਰਾ can be extended in Punjabi to refer to close male friends or comrades, treating a non-biological bond as a brotherhood.
- The word ਭਰਾ (bhra) shares the exact same ancient Indo-European root as the English word 'brother', meaning they are distant linguistic cousins.
- The adjective ਛੋਟਾ (chhota) can also be used to describe someone's status or importance, not just their physical size or age.
Examples in context
- ਮੇਰਾ ਛੋਟਾ ਭਰਾ ਸਕੂਲ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।merā chōṭā bhrā sakūl giā hai.My little brother has gone to school.
- ਉਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਛੋਟਾ ਭਰਾ ਹੈ।uh merā chōṭā bhrā hai.He is my little brother.
- ਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਛੋਟਾ ਭਰਾ ਇੱਥੇ ਹੈ?kī tuhāḍā chōṭā bhrā itthē hai?Is your little brother here?
Example conversation
Gurpreet and Kiran are talking about their families.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਕੀ ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਕੋਈ ਭਰਾ ਹੈ?Ki tuhada koi bhara hai?Do you have any brother?
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰਾ ਇੱਕ ਛੋਟਾ ਭਰਾ ਹੈ।Han, mera ik chhota bhara hai.Yes, I have a little brother.
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਉਸਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਕੀ ਹੈ?Usda naam ki hai?What is his name?
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਉਸਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਅਰਜੁਨ ਹੈ।Usda naam Arjun hai.His name is Arjun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਛੋਟਾ, ਭਰਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
