ചേച്ചി
cēcci/t͡ʃeːt͡ʃt͡ʃi/
The Malayalam word for older sister is ചേച്ചി (cēcci).
ചേച്ചി means older sister. It is used not only for biological older sisters but also as a respectful way to address any woman slightly older than oneself.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ചേച്ചി refers to an older sister, അനിയത്തി is the specific term used for a younger sister.
How does it change in a sentence?
ചേച്ചി is a noun that can be used as a standalone vocative (calling someone's name) or as a subject in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is cēcci.
Did you know?
- The term ചേച്ചി can be used ironically or teasingly between female friends of the same age to pretend one is the bossy older sibling.
- While ചേച്ചി is common, if you want to sound particularly formal or literary, you might encounter the Sanskrit-derived ജ്യേഷ്ഠത്തി (jyeṣṭhatthi).
- In Kerala, ചേച്ചി is frequently used as a polite way to address female shopkeepers or service providers, even if the speaker is an adult.
Examples in context
- എന്റെ ചേച്ചി ഇപ്പോൾ വരും.ente chechi ippol varum.My older sister will come now.
- ആ ചേച്ചിയുടെ പേര് എന്താണ്?aa chechiyude peru enthanu?What is that older sister's name?
- ചേച്ചി എവിടെ പോയി?chechi evide poyi?Where did older sister go?
Example conversation
Rahul is asking Lakshmi about her older sister.
- രാഹുൽ Rahulലക്ഷ്മി, നിന്റെ ചേച്ചി എവിടെ?lakshmi, ninte chechi evide?Lakshmi, where is your older sister?
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiചേച്ചി ഇപ്പോൾ വീട്ടിലില്ല.chechi ippol veettililla.Older sister is not at home now.
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅവൾ എപ്പോഴാണ് തിരിച്ചുവരുന്നത്?aval eppozhanu thirichu varunnathu?When is she coming back?
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiചേച്ചി വൈകുന്നേരം വരും.chechi vaikunneram varum.Older sister will come in the evening.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “older sister” translations and entries ചേച്ചി, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
