anh trai
noun · Beginner · Family & People
Meaning
English: Older brother
Vietnamese distinguishes older and younger siblings; anh means older male.
Examples
🗣 Anh trai tôi hơn tôi ba tuổi.
💬 My older brother is three years older than me.
Etymology
‘Anh trai’ combines ‘anh’, meaning older brother, derived from Proto-Austroasiatic, with ‘trai’, meaning boy, affirming the familial hierarchy in Vietnamese culture. This term has historical significance reflecting the importance of elder siblings.
How & Where It’s Used
‘Anh trai’ is used in both spoken and written Vietnamese across various social contexts, primarily informal and familial. It carries a respectful undertone when addressing one’s older brother and is widely understood across all regions in Vietnam.
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Tags: family, siblings