anh
[ʔajŋ̟˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for "older brother" is anh.
anh is used not only to refer to one's older brother but also as a polite and common way to address a slightly older male peer or a man in a romantic relationship.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While anh can be used as a pronoun for "older brother" or "you" (to a male), the phrase anh trai specifically refers to the biological or familial relationship of an older brother. Additionally, if the older male is a cousin rather than a biological brother, you should use anh họ instead of anh trai.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify "older brother" as a noun phrase in a sentence, anh trai is the standard term, whereas anh is often used as a standalone pronoun.
Did you know?
- In some traditional settings, couples with children stopped using anh and instead referred to each other as thầy em and đẻ em, meaning 'father of the child' and 'mother of the child'.
Examples in context
- Anh trai tôi đang xem ti vi.My older brother is watching TV.This sentence shows how to use anh to describe an older brother's current action.Tatoeba #8992843 by dotheduyet1999, translation #614439 by CK
- Hôm qua tôi đã cãi nhau với anh trai.I had a fight with my older brother yesterday.This sentence is useful for describing a past conflict involving an anh.Tatoeba #9015904 by dotheduyet1999, translation #526421 by CK
- Tôi có một người anh trai cùng tuổi với bạn.I have an older brother who's the same age as you.This sentence illustrates how to use anh when discussing an older brother's age.Tatoeba #9018801 by dotheduyet1999, translation #1345223 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Tuấn are talking about their family at a cafe.
- ChiAnh của bạn làm nghề gì?What does your older brother do?
- TuấnAnh ấy là kỹ sư.He is an engineer.
- ChiAnh ấy có cao không?Is he tall?
- TuấnCó, anh ấy rất cao.Yes, he is very tall.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “older brother” translations and entries anh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anh, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
