میرا بھائی
merā bhāʾīstandard
In Pakistan "my brother" is میرا بھائی (merā bhāʾī). To address an older brother with respect say بھائی جان (bhāʾī jān). It is also called میرے بھائی (mere bhāʾī).
Meaning: my male sibling, or a respectful way to address a man (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| میرا بھائی | merā bhāʾī | standard |
| بھائی جان | bhāʾī jān | respectful, older brother |
| میرے بھائی | mere bhāʾī | address, friendly |
میرے بھائی (mere bhāʾī) is used when speaking directly to a brother or to a man you treat like one. Pakistanis often call friends and even strangers بھائی (bhāʾī) as a polite word.
How does it change in a sentence?
The possessive agrees with the noun. بھائی (bhāʾī) is masculine, so it is میرا (merā) when talking about him and میرے (mere) when speaking to him.
Did you know?
- Calling a man you meet بھائی (bhāʾī) is a common sign of respect in Pakistan, even for shopkeepers and drivers.
Examples in context
- یہ میرا بھائی ہےyeh merā bhāʾī haiThis is my brother
- میرے بھائی، شکریہmere bhāʾī, shukriyaMy brother, thank you
Example conversation
Sara introduces her older brother Hamza to her friend Laiba in Islamabad.
- Saraلیبہ، یہ میرے بھائی حمزہ ہیں۔laiba, yeh mere bhāʾī ḥamza haiñ.Laiba, this is my brother Hamza.
- Laibaالسلام علیکم بھائی جان۔assalāmu ʿalaikum bhāʾī jān.Hello, brother.
- Hamzaوعلیکم السلام، کیسی ہیں؟wa ʿalaikum assalām, kaisī haiñ?Hello, how are you?
