چھوٹا بھائی
chhota bhai/t͡ʃʰoː.ʈɑː bʱɑː.iː/word by word
The Urdu phrase for "younger brother" is چھوٹا بھائی (chhota bhai).
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of chhota meaning 'small/younger' and bhai meaning 'brother'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to multiple younger brothers, the adjective changes from چھوٹا بھائی to چھوٹے بھائی.
How do you pronounce it?
chhota bhai.
Did you know?
- The word بھائی comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰréh₂tēr, making it a very distant relative of the English word 'brother'.
- In Urdu culture, the term بھائی is often used as a respectful or friendly address for any male peer, regardless of whether they are actually related.
- In traditional Urdu speaking households, the relationship with a چھوٹا بھائی involves a specific dynamic where the older brother often takes a paternal role in guidance and protection.
Examples in context
- میرا چھوٹا بھائی بہت شرارتی ہے۔mera chhota bhai bahut shararati hai.My younger brother is very naughty.
- میرا چھوٹا بھائی ابھی سکول میں ہے۔mera chhota bhai abhi school mein hai.My younger brother is in school right now.
Example conversation
Zainab and Hamza are talking about their families at a cafe.
- زینب Zainabحمزہ، کیا آپ کا کوئی چھوٹا بھائی ہے؟Hamza, kya aap ka koi chhota bhai hai?Hamza, do you have a younger brother?
- حمزہ Hamzaجی، میرا ایک چھوٹا بھائی ہے۔Ji, mera ek chhota bhai hai.Yes, I have one younger brother.
- زینب Zainabوہ آپ سے کتنا چھوٹا ہے؟Woh aap se kitna chhota hai?How much younger is he than you?
- حمزہ Hamzaوہ مجھ سے دو سال چھوٹا ہے۔Woh mujh se do saal chhota hai.He is two years younger than me.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (چھوٹا, بھائی) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بھائی, چھوٹا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
