ചേട്ടൻ
cēṭṭaṉ/t͡ʃeːʈʈɐn/
The Malayalam word for older brother is ചേട്ടൻ (cēṭṭaṉ).
ചേട്ടൻ is used to refer to an older brother. In a broader social context, it is frequently used to address men who are not biological brothers, such as older cousins or even strangers of a similar age, as a sign of respect and familiarity.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term ചേട്ടൻ (or Chettan) is an informal way to address an older brother or a slightly older male peer.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃeːʈʈɐn/
When do people say it?
In Kerala culture, ചേട്ടൻ is frequently used to address men who are not biological brothers, such as older cousins or even strangers of a similar age, as a sign of respect and familiarity.
Did you know?
- Using ചേട്ടൻ for a man who is actually younger than you could be perceived as a sarcastic or mocking way to imply he is acting older than he is.
- The word ചേട്ടൻ shares its deep roots with the Sanskrit word ज्येष्ठ (jyeṣṭha), which means 'eldest' or 'most important'.
- The masculine suffix -അൻ (-aṉ) used in ചേട്ടൻ is a marker that explicitly defines the gender of the sibling, a feature common in Dravidian grammar but absent in English.
Examples in context
- എന്റെ ചേട്ടൻ ഒരു ഡോക്ടറാണ്.ente chettan oru doctor aanu.My older brother is a doctor.
- ചേട്ടൻ എവിടെ പോകുന്നു?chettan evide pokunnu?Where is older brother going?
Example conversation
Sridevi asks Manoj about his sibling.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviനിങ്ങളുടെ ചേട്ടൻ എപ്പോഴാണ് വരുന്നത്?ningalude chettan eppozhaanu varunnathu?When is your older brother coming?
- മനോജ് Manojചേട്ടൻ നാളെ വരും.chettan naale varum.Older brother will come tomorrow.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅദ്ദേഹം എവിടെയാണ് ജോലി ചെയ്യുന്നത്?addeham evideyaanu joli cheyyunnathu?Where does he work?
- മനോജ് Manojചേട്ടൻ ദുബായിലാണ് ജോലി ചെയ്യുന്നത്.chettan dubayilaanu joli cheyyunnathu.My older brother works in Dubai.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “older brother” translations and entries ചേട്ടൻ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ചേട്ടൻ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
