ভাইঝি
bhaijhi
The Bengali word for niece (specifically a brother's daughter) is ভাইঝি (bhaijhi).
In Bengali, the term for niece is often specified by the relationship to the speaker. ভাইঝি refers specifically to a fraternal niece, which is the daughter of one's brother.
Meaning: fraternal or sororal niece (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ভাইঝি is a compound of bhai, meaning brother and jhi, meaning daughter. It literally means 'brother's daughter'.
How do you pronounce it?
bhaijhi
Did you know?
- The word ঝি for 'daughter' can also be used in a general sense to refer to a young girl or a female domestic helper in certain historical contexts.
- In many Bengali families, even if you use the formal term, an aunt or uncle might address a niece by a special nickname rather than her actual name.
- Bengali kinship terms often distinguish between the children of an older sibling and a younger sibling, though ভাইঝি is a general term for a brother's daughter.
Examples in context
- আমার ভাইঝি খুব মিষ্টি।amar bhaijhi khub mishti.My niece is very sweet.
- সে আমার একমাত্র ভাইঝি।se amar ekmatro bhaijhi.She is my only niece.
- ভাইঝিটি আজ খুব হাসিখুশি।bhaijhi-ti aj khub hasikhushi.The niece is very cheerful today.
Example conversation
Anirban and Moumita are talking about a family gathering.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaতোমার ভাইঝি কি আসছে?tomar bhaijhi ki asche?Is your niece coming?
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanহ্যাঁ, আমার ভাইঝি আসবে।hã, amar bhaijhi ashbe.Yes, my niece will come.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaসে কি অনেক বড় হয়েছে?se ki onek boro hoyeche?Has she grown up a lot?
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanহ্যাঁ, সে অনেক বড় হয়েছে।hã, se onek boro hoyeche.Yes, she has grown up a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “niece” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
