ਵੱਡਾ ਭਰਾ
vaḍḍā bhrā
The English phrase "older brother" is translated into Punjabi as ਵੱਡਾ ਭਰਾ (vaḍḍā bhrā).
ਵੱਡਾ ਭਰਾ is used to refer to an older brother. While ਭਰਾ is the literal word for brother, in many Punjabi-speaking households, people use specific kinship terms like ਭਾਈ or specific names to address an older brother.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ਵੱਡਾ (vaḍḍā), meaning "big/elder" and ਭਰਾ (bhrā), meaning "brother".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ਵੱਡਾ must precede the noun ਭਰਾ to indicate seniority.
How do you pronounce it?
vaḍḍā bhrā
Did you know?
- In many traditional Punjabi households, calling an older brother by his actual name is often considered disrespectful, and a specific kinship title is used instead.
- The Punjabi word ਭਰਾ shares a common ancient ancestor with the English word 'brother' via the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰréh₂tēr.
- While ਵੱਡਾ ਭਰਾ is the formal term, many Punjabi speakers use ਵੀਰ (veer) as an affectionate term for an older brother.
Examples in context
- ਉਹ ਮੇਰਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਭਰਾ ਹੈ।uha merā vaḍḍā bharā hai.He is my older brother.
- ਵੱਡਾ ਭਰਾ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਮਦਦ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।vaḍḍā bharā hamēśā madada karadā hai.An older brother always helps.
Example conversation
Simran and Aman are talking about their family members.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਅਮਨ, ਕੀ ਤੇਰਾ ਕੋਈ ਵੱਡਾ ਭਰਾ ਹੈ?aman, kī tērā kōī vaḍḍā bharā hai?Aman, do you have an older brother?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਹਾਂ, ਮੇਰਾ ਇੱਕ ਵੱਡਾ ਭਰਾ ਹੈ।hā̃, merā ik vaḍḍā bharā hai.Yes, I have one older brother.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਉਹ ਕੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ?uha kī karadā hai?What does he do?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਉਹ ਇੱਕ ਇੰਜੀਨੀਅਰ ਹੈ।uha ik injīnīar hai.He is an engineer.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਭਰਾ, ਵੱਡਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
